Rainier High School class of 2026 honors late classmate Deven Borgen during graduation

As the small city of Rainier celebrated Rainier High School’s 60-member class of 2026 during a graduation ceremony Friday night, the packed gym was filled with a plethora of expected emotions.

Joy, surreality, pride, nostalgia, euphoria, and everything in between.

But as 60 seats at the front of the gymnasium contained 59 graduates, the feeling of grief and mourning lingered on the stage for late classmate Deven Borgen, who would have celebrated his high school graduation Friday.

Borgen and his brother Alexander Borgen were killed in a drive-by shooting on Nov. 14, 2025, in Lacey. Deven Borgen was honored during the ceremony by multiple student speakers and was given an honorary seat in the second row, decorated with an orange stole and black gown.

Borgen’s family was given a reserved row in the front of the crowd, and the class of 2026 presented a senior gift of a new podium that paid tribute to Borgen. On the front of the podium reads “In Honor of Deven Borgen.” Multiple photos of Borgen were displayed during the senior slideshow, as well.

Master and Mistress of Ceremonies Dorien Cano and Catherine Garrard opened the graduation ceremony by honoring Borgen.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we also take a moment to remember a classmate we lost too soon. His absence is deeply felt every day. While Deven may not be physically sitting among us tonight, his memory remains part of the class of 2026 forever,” Cano said. “We remember the laughter he shared, the friendships he felt and the impacts he made on the people around him. Deven is a reminder of the importance of community, love and appreciating every moment we have with one another. As we celebrate our accomplishments, we also honor and remember Deven Borgen. His name, his spirit and his memory will never be forgotten by the class of 2026.”

Salutatorian Zach Hamilton dedicated his entire speech to sharing memories and reflections of his friendship with Borgen, including Fourth of July shenanigans spent at McDonald’s.

“Life is short, and you only have so much time. Make time for the people in your life that you’re closest to,” Hamilton said. “Make sure you enjoy the moments with them because you don’t know which one might be your last.”

Before Hamilton finished his speech, he gave a shoutout to Borgen’s grandparents in the audience.

Valedictorian Katelyn Eckroth offered advice on career choices to the class of 2026, asking her fellow classmates to consider how their decisions can make an impact on others.

“One night, when I was stressing and worrying about the future, my mom said something that changed the way I think. My mom asked me, ‘How do you want to help people?’” Eckroth said. “‘...Every job out there serves a purpose and helps people in some way or another. Your job is the way you make money, but if you don’t enjoy doing it, you’re not going to have fun or feel satisfied in life. You might as well pick something that you enjoy and something that you can help others in and make a difference.”