By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax Crescent would like to extend a big congratulations to the Climax-Scotts graduating class of 2026.
Graduation ceremonies were held May 21 in the C-S High School gymnasium.
The co-valedictorians are Holly Talbert and Ryan Pejakovich and the salutatorian is Jane Carillo-Keegan.
Each year the Crescent publishes a brief profile on the class valedictorian and salutatorian.
Below are brief profiles on the two valedictorians and salutatorian. The students provided the information.
The Climax Crescent wish the graduates the best in thier future endeavors.
The Climax Crescent would like to extend a big congratulations to the Climax-Scotts graduating class of 2026.
Graduation ceremonies were held May 21 in the C-S High School gymnasium.
The co-valedictorians are Holly Talbert and Ryan Pejakovich and the salutatorian is Jane Carillo-Keegan.
Each year the Crescent publishes a brief profile on the class valedictorian and salutatorian.
Below are brief profiles on the two valedictorians and salutatorian. The students provided the information.
The Climax Crescent wish the graduates the best in thier future endeavors.
Holly Talbert
Co-Valedictorian
Parents names: Kari and Josh Talbert
Village, city or town you reside in: Scotts
Any athletic, musical or scholastic accomplishments (i.e., scholarships you may have been awarded, All-State, etc.): Rex and Ken Pride of Scotts Forgotten Hero’s Scholarship, SCAA Scholar Athlete Award, Athletic Booster Scholar Athlete Award Scholarship, Kalamazoo County Excellence in Education Scholarship, Climax-Scotts Community Schools Foundation Collver Family Legacy Scholarship, Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Breanne Blodgett Memorial Scholarship, high honor roll/all A’s, All Conference First Team basketball 2025/26, All Conference Dream Team basketball 2025/26, 2026 Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award, Battle Creek Enquirer All Area team basketball 2025/26, league champion basketball 2025/26, BCAM’S Individual Academic All State, 2025 BCAM’s BEST (All State) Division 4 honorable mention, All League first team basketball 2024/25, All League 2nd team basketball 2023, All League first team basketball 2023/24, league MVP basketball in 2024/25 and 2025/26, Battle Creek Enquirer All Area team basketball 2022/23, Academic All State Team softball 2023, Battle Creek Enquirer All City first team softball 2025, All League Honorable Mention softball 2024, Battle Creek Enquirer All City honorable mention softball 2024, All Conference First Team softball 2025, All District team softball 2025, All Conference track in 200-meter dash and shot put, All Conference track 1st 4x100 relay and 1st 4x200 relay, All League honorable mention volleyball 2025, Academic All State volleyball 2025, Battle Creek Enquirer All Area honorable mention outside hitter volleyball 2025, and more.
Groups or organizations (in school or out of school) you have been involved in: NHS and SADD
Plans for college, the college or university, and what field or major you plan to pursue, if you have one selected: I plan to finish Early Middle College and then go to Western Michigan University and study nursing to become a NICU nurse.
Parents names: Kari and Josh Talbert
Village, city or town you reside in: Scotts
Any athletic, musical or scholastic accomplishments (i.e., scholarships you may have been awarded, All-State, etc.): Rex and Ken Pride of Scotts Forgotten Hero’s Scholarship, SCAA Scholar Athlete Award, Athletic Booster Scholar Athlete Award Scholarship, Kalamazoo County Excellence in Education Scholarship, Climax-Scotts Community Schools Foundation Collver Family Legacy Scholarship, Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Battle Creek Community Foundation, Breanne Blodgett Memorial Scholarship, high honor roll/all A’s, All Conference First Team basketball 2025/26, All Conference Dream Team basketball 2025/26, 2026 Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award, Battle Creek Enquirer All Area team basketball 2025/26, league champion basketball 2025/26, BCAM’S Individual Academic All State, 2025 BCAM’s BEST (All State) Division 4 honorable mention, All League first team basketball 2024/25, All League 2nd team basketball 2023, All League first team basketball 2023/24, league MVP basketball in 2024/25 and 2025/26, Battle Creek Enquirer All Area team basketball 2022/23, Academic All State Team softball 2023, Battle Creek Enquirer All City first team softball 2025, All League Honorable Mention softball 2024, Battle Creek Enquirer All City honorable mention softball 2024, All Conference First Team softball 2025, All District team softball 2025, All Conference track in 200-meter dash and shot put, All Conference track 1st 4x100 relay and 1st 4x200 relay, All League honorable mention volleyball 2025, Academic All State volleyball 2025, Battle Creek Enquirer All Area honorable mention outside hitter volleyball 2025, and more.
Groups or organizations (in school or out of school) you have been involved in: NHS and SADD
Plans for college, the college or university, and what field or major you plan to pursue, if you have one selected: I plan to finish Early Middle College and then go to Western Michigan University and study nursing to become a NICU nurse.
Ryan Pejakovich
Co-Valedictorian
Parents names: Matt and Carla Pejakovich
Village, city or town you reside in: Climax
Any athletic, musical or scholastic accomplishments (i.e., scholarships you may have been awarded, All-State, etc.): State champion, National Champion, and multiple appearances at nationals for powerlifting. Multiple state, national, and world records for powerlifting.
Groups or organizations (in school or out of school) you have been involved in: I am involved with the NHS through our school.
Plans for college, the college or university, and what field or major you plan to pursue, if you have one selected: I plan to attend Davenport University in the fall, and my major is Business Administration.
GPA if available: 3.99 in high school and 4.0 at KVCC
If you would like, you may add a couple of sentences about your experience at C-S High School or the C-S School District: I had a great experience here at C-S that has allowed me to become a better person. The opportunities that you get here, whether it be academic or in sports, are very good as well.
Parents names: Matt and Carla Pejakovich
Village, city or town you reside in: Climax
Any athletic, musical or scholastic accomplishments (i.e., scholarships you may have been awarded, All-State, etc.): State champion, National Champion, and multiple appearances at nationals for powerlifting. Multiple state, national, and world records for powerlifting.
Groups or organizations (in school or out of school) you have been involved in: I am involved with the NHS through our school.
Plans for college, the college or university, and what field or major you plan to pursue, if you have one selected: I plan to attend Davenport University in the fall, and my major is Business Administration.
GPA if available: 3.99 in high school and 4.0 at KVCC
If you would like, you may add a couple of sentences about your experience at C-S High School or the C-S School District: I had a great experience here at C-S that has allowed me to become a better person. The opportunities that you get here, whether it be academic or in sports, are very good as well.
Jane Carillo-Keegan
Salutatorian
Parents names: Charlie Keegan and Liene Keegan
What village, city or town you reside in: Battle Creek
Any athletic, musical or scholastic accomplishments (i.e., scholarships you may have been awarded, All-State, etc.): C-S Foundation Scholarship, Rabbit Rodeo Scholarship, SCAA Award, Scholar Athlete Award (9th - 12th Grade), Team Academic All State (2024 & 2025), Academic All State (2025).
Parents names: Charlie Keegan and Liene Keegan
What village, city or town you reside in: Battle Creek
Any athletic, musical or scholastic accomplishments (i.e., scholarships you may have been awarded, All-State, etc.): C-S Foundation Scholarship, Rabbit Rodeo Scholarship, SCAA Award, Scholar Athlete Award (9th - 12th Grade), Team Academic All State (2024 & 2025), Academic All State (2025).
Groups or organizations (in school or out of school) you have been involved in: National Honor Society, Student Council, Volleyball, Band
Plans for college, the college or university, and what field or major you plan to pursue, if you have one selected: After I graduate, I’m staying in my Early Middle College program to finish my Associate of Science. After that, I plan to transfer to Western Michigan University for my undergrad in Exercise Science, eventually working toward a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
GPA: 3.97
If you would like, you may add a couple of sentences about your experience at C-S High School or the C-S School District: Moving to a new country without knowing the language is terrifying, but a supportive school community changes everything. Thanks to patient classmates and dedicated teachers, overcoming fear allows students to find their voice, join activities, and step into major leadership roles. True growth happens outside your comfort zone, leaving you ready to lead.
Attending Climax-Scotts High School proves how special this district is. It is a tight-knit place where teachers genuinely invest in you, creating a safe launchpad for the future.
Plans for college, the college or university, and what field or major you plan to pursue, if you have one selected: After I graduate, I’m staying in my Early Middle College program to finish my Associate of Science. After that, I plan to transfer to Western Michigan University for my undergrad in Exercise Science, eventually working toward a Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
GPA: 3.97
If you would like, you may add a couple of sentences about your experience at C-S High School or the C-S School District: Moving to a new country without knowing the language is terrifying, but a supportive school community changes everything. Thanks to patient classmates and dedicated teachers, overcoming fear allows students to find their voice, join activities, and step into major leadership roles. True growth happens outside your comfort zone, leaving you ready to lead.
Attending Climax-Scotts High School proves how special this district is. It is a tight-knit place where teachers genuinely invest in you, creating a safe launchpad for the future.
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