Salina Area Technical College celebrated its 2026 commencement ceremony on May 2 at Tony’s Pizza Events Center, honoring the college’s largest graduating class in school history during its milestone 60th anniversary year.

According to the school, a total of 198 graduates crossed the stage, marking several historic achievements for the institution:

• 30% of graduates (60 students) represented diverse backgrounds — another record for the college
• 87 Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees were awarded — the highest number ever awarded by Salina Tech
• 50 graduates were still in high school, including 9 seniors who earned their AAS degree before high school graduation

The commencement speaker was Larry Hettenbach, a 1974 graduate of Salina Tech’s Machine Tool Technology program. Hettenbach shared reflections from his own career and encouraged graduates to embrace a strong work ethic, remain dependable, and continue building strong futures for themselves and their families.

Graduates represented communities across Kansas and several surrounding states, reflecting Salina Tech’s growing regional impact and continued enrollment growth.

Graduates by hometown:

ABILENE, KS
Sara D. Britt – Dental Assistant
Maggie L. Lewis – Practical Nursing
Isabel Grace Maestas – Computer Aided Drafting
Audrey Michelle Raab – Nursing

ANAHEIM, CA
Josseline Nava – Nursing

ARKANSAS CITY, KS
Daniela Ibanez-Canizalez – Nursing

ASSARIA, KS
Phillip Jackson Calvin – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Hayden Danielle Carbon – Early Childhood Education
Morgan Olivia Hawbaker – Fire Science
Cash Jakob Kristopher Sharp – Diesel Technology

AVONDALE-HASLET, TX
Johnathan M. Santoscoy – Nursing

BENNINGTON, KS
Olivia Josephine Hodges – Business Administrative Technology
Hunter Sydney Johnson – Welding Technology
Cole Augustus Young – Automotive Technology

BROOKVILLE, KS
Collin Dent – Welding Technology
Kameron Robert Walker – Automotive Technology

CHAPMAN, KS
Jacob Earl Boland – Fire Science
Kailee Kind – Dental Hygiene
Jayden Michel Lee – Welding Technology

CHATSWORTH, CA
Lucia Reyes Gurrola – Early Childhood Education

COLLYER, KS
Jaden L. Ricker – Fire Science

COLONY, KS
Evan Louis Powe – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology

CONCORDIA, KS
Sage Weaver – Electrical Technology

DOWNS, KS
Charlotte Ann Harzman – Pharmacy Technician

ELLIS, KS
Myah McCoy – Dental Hygiene

ELLSWORTH, KS
William R. Duncan – Automotive Technology
Ian Lee Henry Mikulecky – Automotive Technology
Justice Victoria Mitchell – Practical Nursing

ENTERPRISE, KS
Chelsea Ann Luffman – Practical Nursing

EUDORA, KS
Braylen D. Hoobler – Fire Science

FRONTENAC, KS
Angela Kay Banta – Nursing

GREAT BEND, KS
Ruth Sofia Reyes – Practical Nursing
Jordyn Renell Jo Stukey – Applied Technologies

GUNNISON, CO
Brody Austin Dooley – Machining and Manufacturing Technology

HANOVER, KS
Cadlee Gay Stallbaumer – Dental Hygiene

HAYS, KS
Kennedy Goodman – Early Childhood Education
Gavin P. Jacobs – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Lauren V. Klein – Dental Assistant
Jebediah Ray Miller – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Lillian Marie Wellbrock – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology

HERINGTON, KS
Lydia Helen Roe – Nursing

HOPE, KS
Tucker Allen Mein – Welding Technology
Duncan S. Reiff – Fire Science, Applied Technologies

HUTCHINSON, KS
Cristian Marie Marroquin-Cardoso – Nursing

JUNCTION CITY, KS
Nathan D. Casto – Machining and Manufacturing Technology
Daryn Foster – Fire Science, Applied Technologies
Kane Ryan Griffith – Welding Technology
Loren Clay Jeardoe – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Gwendolyn Sadie Margist – Dental Hygiene
Sebastian A. Marwah – Electrical Technology
Ariel Renee Montgomery – Dental Hygiene

LIBERAL, KS
Hallie Kalynn West – Dental Assistant

LINCOLN, KS
Kaden Lee Budreau – Automotive Technology

LINDSBORG, KS
Matthew Brigham Adams – Practical Nursing
Deonte L. Crain – Machining and Manufacturing Technology
Breckin Paul Rogers – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Logan J. Shelton – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Benjamin I. Woods – Machining and Manufacturing Technology

LURAY, KS
Kolton James Palmer – Diesel Technology

LYONS, KS
Layton Mathew Winkelman – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

MANHATTAN, KS
Jaxson R. Portenier – Diesel Technology

MCPHERSON, KS
Samuel D. Bacon – Diesel Technology
Eidy Aryani Landeros – Construction Technology
Kaleigh Nicole Marbut – Dental Hygiene
Cooper E. Sandon – Welding Technology

MINNEAPOLIS, KS
Benjamin A. Dawson – Machining and Manufacturing Technology
Brayden C. Gorrell – Automotive Technology
Alta J. Noon – Welding Technology
Kaleb Micah Ocker – Computer Aided Drafting
Grant Patrick Rice – Construction Technology

NEW CAMBRIA, KS
Melisa Arnold – Business Administrative Technology

NEWTON, KS
Annel Harper – Dental Assistant

NORTON, KS
Brynna Grace Brown – Welding Technology

OBERLIN, KS
Jessiah Dean McDougal – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

OLATHE, KS
Haidyn D. Archer – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning

PAXICO, KS
Ollievia Ann Lowe – Dental Hygiene

PEABODY, KS
Alexis Cheyanne Davis – Dental Hygiene

PLANO, TX
Jamie E. Henton – Nursing

RILEY, KS
Angela Marie Crawford – Applied Technologies

ROXBURY, KS
Takoda W. Hauck – Diesel Technology

SALINA, KS
Gloria S. Ababio – Nursing
Brooke L. Allen – Nursing
Cameron Anaya – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Joshua Hawk Andrewson – Welding Technology
Brooke Marie Banks – Dental Assistant
Joshua M. Banks – Welding Technology
Emily Bergmann – Nursing
Jaiden Jae Lynn Brown – Practical Nursing
Xannah Valeria Camacho Romero – Nursing
Taygen A. Carswell – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Miguel Angel Castro – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Brody S. Chambers – Business Administrative Technology
Elijah J. Crabbs – Machining and Manufacturing Technology
Adamaris Diaz – Business Administrative Technology
Jalisa M. Diaz – Pharmacy Technician
Karen Divas – Practical Nursing
Bryce Cecil Doonan – Fire Science
David Manuel Duenas Galvan – Welding Technology
Angela Rae Eilts – Nursing
Marcello Tomas Escalante – Welding Technology
Victoria Gonzalez Esparza – Dental Assistant
Cesar J. Garcia – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Elena Alexa Garcia – Early Childhood Education
Miya J. Garcia – Fire Science
Jaida Marie Graham – Construction Technology
Nevaeh Lynann Griffin – Practical Nursing
Tabatha Ann Griffith – Nursing
MaKenzie Jôlene Hanchett – Business Administrative Technology
Krissana L. Hawk – Pharmacy Technician
Grant Wendell Herman – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Jamie Melissa Hernandez – Dental Assistant
Tristen J. Hitchens – Computer Aided Drafting
Karson B. Hobby – Welding Technology
Malachi M. Hopkins – Business Administrative Technology
Emmonie S. Howell – Dental Hygiene
Christopher M. Huiett – Welding Technology
Leon Rowe, IV – Diesel Technology
Teresa Alondra Jimenez – Nursing
Ryder Legend Johnson – Welding Technology
Addison Mae Jones – Early Childhood Education
Jett Allen Jones – Computer Aided Drafting
Ethan J. Kenyon – Diesel Technology
Kacie J. Kinderknecht – Nursing
Katelyn J. Komarek – Practical Nursing
Payton Leann Lepping – Nursing
Doriana Y. Licon Perez – Dental Hygiene
Sierra R. Lowe – Practical Nursing
Alexandra Martin-Escobedo – Early Childhood Education
Angel Gabriel Martinez – Welding Technology
Lucia A. Martinez – Welding Technology
Mallory Laura May McKenna – Practical Nursing
Ellie E. Mencanin – Early Childhood Education
Luis Mendez – Electrical Technology
Alondra L. Mendiola – Practical Nursing
Dorothy Jean Merkle – Practical Nursing
Hannah Cathryn Mertz – Nursing
Jason William Meyer – Computer Aided Drafting
Armando Daniel Mota – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Mariah P. Moye – Practical Nursing
Baylee Ella Jolene Pembleton – Nursing
Gabrieanna Paige Perez – Practical Nursing
Tucker James Peterson – Welding Technology
Jenna Marie Prochazka – Practical Nursing
Danae J. Renfro – Practical Nursing
Anthony V. Rodriguez – Construction Technology
Joshua Isai Ruiz Saucedo – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology
Bayli M. Saldibar-Lorenson – Practical Nursing
William Sauber – Electrical Technology
Gavin W. Schneider – Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Jace Michael Schowengerdt – Diesel Technology
Lauren Ashley Scoville – Practical Nursing
Rhegan Elizabeth Sprouse – Business Administrative Technology
Tiera Steen – Automotive Technology
Mackenzie Sweet – Nursing
Taylor R. Tappendick – Welding Technology
Christian Michael Tedlock – Police Science
Killian J. Vaughan – Welding Technology
Brandi L. Vinyard – Nursing
Kylie Jordyn VonLintel – Practical Nursing
Tate Caldwell Waser – Computer Aided Drafting, Applied Technologies
Graceyn Hope Weaver – Business Administrative Technology
Kreden Courage Weaver – Construction Technology
Lexus Wilson – Police Science, Applied Technologies
Lance Matthew Wood – Automotive Technology

SOLOMON, KS
Timothy B. Ade – Electrical Technology
Matthias C.J. Baxa – Fire Science
Heidi Jo Bouley – Applied Technologies
Lance Cooper Carver – Business Administrative Technology
Tiana Emerald Nye – Early Childhood Education
Britt Allen Sellers – Welding Technology
Aiden Richard L. Shepard – Business Administrative Technology
Caitlin Spaulding – Welding Technology
Stacy Marie Trow – Nursing

TESCOTT, KS
Katherine JoAnn Goddard – Nursing
Michele Marie Pasley – Practical Nursing

ULYSSES, KS
Perla Guadalupe Calamateo-Porras – Nursing

UPPER LAKE, CA
Corrin M. Johns – Dental Hygiene

VICTORIA, KS
Amber Lynne Teel – Pharmacy Technician
Levi F. Wellbrock – Automotive Collision and Refinishing Technology

WAKEFIELD, KS
Weston Scott Grant – Diesel Technology

WELLINGTON, KS
Jenny Lathen – Nursing

WHEATON, KS
Seth Laird Figge – Diesel Technology

WICHITA, KS
Cheslee E. Burney – Practical Nursing

WILSON, KS
Tristan Keith – Welding Technology