Pride. That is the one feeling that Class President Lexi McFarland ‘26 hopes the Class of 2026 remembers from their time at Berkeley: pride in themselves, their achievements, and their school. During her time at Berkeley, she has been a part of the Varsity Cheerleading team, the Mello Divas, the Advanced Theater Ensemble (ATE), the Honor Council, the Student Forum, and the Chat n’ Chew club.
Throughout her oration speech, McFarland stresses that what makes the Class of 2026 so special is that they genuinely cared about one another, built a culture where being involved was the norm, and showed up in all the little moments—because they truly wanted to make a positive impact on one another.
McFarland’s goal is to celebrate everything the Class of 2026 has achieved, because “remembering the achievements and loving community… will make [the future] a little less scary.” She wants to connect with her diverse group of classmates and make everybody feel seen and appreciated. This mindset profoundly reflects the Class of 2026.
Some examples she included were that the “crowds [in the stands] were bigger than ever” on Senior Night, and students held up posters and cheered as loudly as possible to make sure everyone on the field, court, or stage knew they mattered. McFarland said these moments on stage with poise and nostalgia during the ceremony. Yet she also notes that what makes the Class of 2026 special “wasn’t just in the big moments; it was those small acts of support, too.”
In the past year, the students in the graduating class faced days of challenges, setbacks, and the grueling five months of college applications—hardships that make Commencement feel so special. “Today isn’t just about celebrating finishing High School,” said McFarland, “it’s a celebration of the people we’ve become. People who care deeply. People who love out loud.” These traits certainly define the Class of 2026, who will undoubtedly go out into the world and make a positive difference.
McFarland admits that she feels very grateful and honored that her class trusted her with the role of Class President. She said, “The role of Class President is very sacred […] I value each and every one of my classmates, and I carried their energy, joy, and kindness with every word I spoke up on that stage.” She definitely did: emotions of pride, nostalgia, fear, excitement, and pure joy felt tangible with her every word.
With the official end of their high school lives drawing near, McFarland offers her last piece of advice to the Class of 2026. She said, “Take with you everything we’ve created here, the memories, the lessons, the strength you didn’t even realize you had. Wherever you go, your new home will become a safe place, just like this one did, because of who you are and what you carry with you.”
The Class of 2026 truly embodies Berkeley’s motto—that Berkeley puts people in the world who make a positive difference.
To read McFarland’s full speech, click here.
