She did so one final time on Sunday, saying farewell to the school she has called home while graduating alongside 50 of her classmates. McCullough, Bianca Aquino, Madison Becker, Josie Eldal and Thatcher Oswald were all valedictorians.

McCullough, who earned 14 varsity letters while competing as a Cougar in volleyball, basketball, track and field, golf and softball, was also on the student council and inducted into the National Honor Society. She did all that while maintaining a 4.0 grade-point average.

“Looking back at the last four years, I have grown in ways I’ve never expected,” McCullough said. “Academically, I learned to manage difficult classes while balancing other responsibilities. As a person, I have gained confidence in who I am.”

Up next for McCullough will be Iowa State University in Ames, where she plans to study kinesiology while working to become a physician assistant.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Elliot Zagers waits for the first notes of "Pomp and Circumstance" before walking into the gym for commencement exercises Sunday at Manson Northwest Webster High School in Manson.

“Manson Northwest Webster prepared me to succeed in my future by pushing me academically,” she said. “Manson Northwest Webster is such a special place because it is a small community and everyone is so welcoming.

“The teachers treat each student with respect and the environment is always supportive and welcoming.”

Like McCullough, fellow senior Christian Amspoker found a balance between his extracurriculars and studies. He was involved in baseball, golf, football, wrestling, the fall play and radio broadcasting, earning varsity letters and academic achievements along the way.

“The last four years have helped me grow immensely mentally,” he said. “Being around all kinds of different people, being involved in different things and just stepping outside of your comfort zone.

“Stepping outside of your comfort zone helps you grow over your high school years.”

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
The Manson Northwest Webster Class of 2026 tosses their caps into the air after completing commencement exercises Sunday at the high school in Manson.

Amspoker plans to take a different path after graduating and entering the workforce. Still, the classes he took at Manson Northwest Webster helped prepare him for that decision.

“Manson Northwest Webster helped prepare me by offering college courses the past few years and while also completing high school work at the same time,” he said. “That teaches you to multitask and use your time wisely by doing the things you need to do.

“If I can say one thing to Manson Northwest Webster, I would say thank you for preparing me to be able to balance all sorts of things and still be successful in school and at home.”

Oswald, who addressed his fellow graduates and those in attendance along with Aquino and Eldal, is headed to the University of Iowa in Iowa City to major in finance. He was active in cross country, track and field, baseball, student council and FFA, earning multiple all-Twin Lakes Conference honors while qualifying for state.

“Manson Northwest Webster feels so special because of the opportunity to develop close relationships in the school,” he said. “Having the same teachers year after year allows personal relationships to be formed. Smaller class sizes also helped our class form connections with each other and even other grades.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Manson Northwest Webster graduate Bianca Aquino addresses her class during commencement exercises Sunday inside the high school gymnasium in Manson.

“Over the last four years, the most significant growth I have seen in myself, both in school and as a person, has been learning to strive to be the best version of myself. I’ve learned to push myself in all areas of my life, academically, in sports and personally.”

Addressing her class Sunday, Eldal encouraged her classmates to stay present in each moment.

“Be where your feet are,” she said.

Oswald had similar advice for fellow graduates, which he first received from his dad.

“Enjoy being in the stage of life that you’re in,” Oswald said. “If you’re always preparing for the future, you’ll miss today.”

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Manson Northwest Webster graduate Mason Anderson gives his mother, Jamie, a hug after giving her a flower during commencement exercises Sunday at Manson Northwest Webster High School in Manson.

The MNW concert band, under the direction of Erica Logan, played “Gone But Not Forgotten” — a piece that the band dedicated to former elementary band director Brad Bleam at a recent concert. Bleam passed away unexpectedly in 2023, shortly after he retired.

The MNW choir sang, “From Now On,” featuring a solo by graduate Oryan Hanson.

Aquino served as the student body president this past year while Emma Jessen was vice president. Drew Tincher was the secretary and Oswald the treasurer.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Seniors Zachary Sheppard, on clarinet, and Eliza Trice, on flute, perform with the Manson Northwest Webster concert band one last time Sunday under the direction of Erica Logan. The two seniors standing in back in the percussion section are Josie Eldal and Rebekah Nelson.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Eliza Trice walks into the gym during "Pomp and Circumstance" during commencement exercises Sunday at Manson Northwest Webster High School in Manson.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Logan Geerdes shakes hands with school board member, Jan Nelson, after receiving his diploma Sunday during commencement exercises at Manson Northwest Webster High School in Manson.

-Messenger photo by Deanna Meyer
Graduate Gavin Burton walks with his row to the stage to receive his diploma during commencement exercises Sunday at Manson Northwest Webster High School in Manson.