TRAER/LA PORTE CITY – North Tama County and Union high schools held commencement exercises for the Class of 2026 on Sunday, May 17 in their respective gymnasiums in Traer and La Porte City. While Union’s ceremony took place at the traditional 2 p.m., North Tama’s was held at 3 p.m. to accommodate shared superintendent John Cain’s schedule with South Tama County. The weather included overcast skies and humid conditions. North Tama celebrated 28 graduates this year, while Union’s graduating class numbered 85. Student speakers on Sunday included Class President Lillea Cluts and Valedictorian Josh Lasley at North Tama, and Jillian Hanson and Levi Hadachek at Union. Class flowers were ranunculus (North Tama) and yellow tulips (Union); class colors were white and gold (North Tama) and red and black (Union); and class mottos included “We didn’t come this far only to come this far” (North Tama) and the Zach Bryan lyric “The leaves might change, but the roots stuck” (Union). A small selection of photos from the two ceremonies printed on the front page of this week’s edition of the North Tama Telegraph.