Allen Community College graduates were encouraged to embrace resilience, community and kindness at Saturday’s graduation of the Class of 2026..
The event marked the college’s 97th commencement ceremony.
The ceremony featured remarks from Student Senate President Shania Charles, a pre-nursing student recognized for her leadership and academic achievements, and keynote speaker John Masterson, the college’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni and former Allen president.
Introducing Charles, ACC President Dr. Lyvier Leffler described her as “an active and dedicated leader on campus.”
Leffler noted Charles served as Student Senate president and president of Phi Beta Kappa while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. She also earned recognition as a member of the 2026 All-Kansas Academic Team and participated in women’s soccer, Quiz Bowl, and HOSA. Through HOSA, an organization for future health professionals, she earned gold medals at the state level and a silver medal at a national competition.
Following graduation, Charles plans to pursue a nursing degree while continuing her soccer career at Hesston College.
CHARLES spoke candidly about the challenges of college.
“Community college isn’t always a straight path,” she said. “For many of us, it’s been full of detours, second chances, long nights, early mornings, and a whole lot of balancing life outside the classroom.”
Charles opened her speech by referencing former President Barack Obama, saying his life showed that “your path doesn’t have to be straight.” She connected that idea to the experiences shared by many of her peers.
“Some of us came here right after high school, still figuring things out. Others came back after time away, chasing something that never really left,” she said. “Some of us worked jobs, supported families, or carried responsibilities that made this journey even heavier. And yet, here we are.”
Charles told graduates that persistence mattered more than perfection.
“They see the cap, the gown, the photos, the celebration, but they don’t always see the persistence behind it,” she said. “Community college doesn’t just prepare you academically, it builds something deeper. It builds resilience.”
She thanked faculty, coaches, campus staff and family members for helping ACC students succeed.
“To our instructors, thank you for your patience, your guidance, and for caring more than you had to,” Charles said. “You didn’t just teach subjects, you helped shape confidence.”
Charles’s remarks included personal thanks to coaches, cafeteria workers, library staff, maintenance crews, student life staff and campus safety personnel who helped create what she described as an unforgettable college experience.
Charles reminded graduates that success does not happen on a universal timeline. “There is no right way to succeed,” she said. “There is no deadline on becoming who you want to be.”
