Kentucky School for the Deaf celebrates Class of 2026

During the commencement ceremony, all six graduates performed a song in American Sign Language called “Dreams We Hold” for the audience.

(DANVILLE, KY) – The Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) celebrated six graduates during its commencement ceremony on May 21.

The six seniors graduating were:

Madison Adkins
Michael Cooper
Mikayla Gilmore
Allison Perez
Raigan Privett
Alex Reynoso-Ramirez

During the ceremony, the graduates performed a song in American Sign Language called “Dreams We Hold” for the audience.

Keynote speaker Bryan Bowen, an American Sign Language services specialist at the Tennessee School for the Deaf and a 1989 graduate of KSD, addressed the graduates. He congratulated the graduates on their accomplishments and overcoming challenges they may have faced.

“Today as you stand on the edge of the stage, I want you to think about something. Being intentional, it’s not easy, it’s not convenient; but with consistency, being intentional through life does not need to be defined by what happens to you. It is shaped by the choices you make as you move forward through life, whether it’s going to college, trade school, a new career or wherever life takes you. Being intentional means you have choices,” Bowen said.

Diplomas were presented by Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher and KSD Interim Principal Faneshia Jones.

All photos were taken by Fiona Morgan, information officer at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE).

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, left, and KSD Interim Principal Faneshia Jones, right, present a diploma to graduate Mikayla Gilmore, center.