For the past four years, Van Pelt has done just that, whether it be on the football field, the basketball court, the track or the baseball diamond.

On Sunday, he officially joined the ranks of Wildcat graduates alongside 114 of his classmates during a ceremony held inside the very gym where he has spent countless hours.

“It’s crazy to think that I’ve graduated,” said Van Pelt, who was nominated by students and staff to speak alongside Keegan Groat. “I’ve been going to games at Humboldt for as long as I can remember. I grew up dreaming about being a Wildcat and couldn’t wait for my turn.

“The best part of my life so far has been wearing the Wildcat jersey and walking the halls of Humboldt High School. Being a Wildcat has taught me many lessons and given me memories that will last a lifetime.”

-Photo by Roseanne Keolakhonevong
Graduates sit in the school's gymnasium after tossing their mortarboards in the air following the ceremony.

While he is now considered a grad, Van Pelt is far from done competing for the school. He has qualified for the upcoming state track and field championships, and will follow that up by concluding his prep career with the Humboldt baseball team over the summer.

From there, Van Pelt will head off to Waverly and enroll at Wartburg College where he plans to major in physical education while playing football.

“I always tried to leave my jersey in a better place than when I got it,” he said. “And not just my jersey, but my school and my community.

“Never take anything for granted and enjoy every minute of it.”

The class flower is the blue-tipped white rose with colors being blue and gold. Elliot Carlson served this past year as the class president and will be succeeded by Joel Thurm in 2026.

Valedictorians were Groat, Van Pelt and Kaitlyn Nelson while Morgan Mayall was the salutatorian.

“Today marks the moment we’ve all been working towards for years: graduation,” said Groat, who will attend Grand View University in Des Moines in the fall. “This is the finish line to one challenge and the start of the next.

“To our teachers and mentors, thank you for being more than just instructors. You challenged us, inspired us and taught us to think critically while never settling for the easy answers.”

Groat added to his fellow graduates that we “found friendships, discovered passions and learned what we want to be.”