Lorenzen announced as 2026 Casper College graduation speaker, success topic
Makenna Lorenzen, a Casper, Wyoming, native and defensive specialist for the Casper College Thunderbirds, has been selected as the 2026 graduation speaker. Lorenzen will graduate with an Associate of Arts in general studies before attending Eastern Washington University. (Zach Nagy/Casper College photo)
Makenna Lorenzen has been selected as the 2026 Casper College graduation speaker. A Casper, Wyoming, native, Lorenzen’s topic will be on success. She will graduate with an Associate of Arts in general studies.
Her topic will be on success. Lorenzen believes that success is more than just reaching the finish line but the process that gets a person there. “A lot of people don’t understand that,” she said. According to Lorenzen, many people view success as “ … where they have to be, a stable job and money. But success isn’t what you have to have; it is what gets you there,” she noted.
A star volleyball player in high school at Kelly Walsh High School, Lorenzen was recruited by Casper College volleyball head coach Angel Sharman. In her sophomore year, Lorenzen was one of two sophomores and 13 freshmen on the 2025-2026 squad. Lorenzen, who was a defensive specialist, helped the team to an impressive 28-10 overall season, a 12-0 conference record, the Region 9 North Championship, the Region 9 Northwest Plains District B Championship, and a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 1 Volleyball Championship, where the team finished its season tied for 11th in the nation.
Recruited by volleyball head coach Jon Haruguchi to play for the Eagles at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington, Lorenzen will pursue a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. “My future career goal is to return to Casper and teach third graders,” said Lorenzen.
In addition to her recruitment by Sharman, Lorenzen said she decided to attend Casper College because “ … I heard that the elementary education program at Casper College was great, because it was a wonderful opportunity for me to start college and play volleyball and figure out what I really wanted to do. It was also close to home, which was a really nice and great way to save money.”
Of her time at Casper College, Lorenzen said she especially liked the school community. “Casper College is overall family, a great community that got me ready to go on to a four-year school.” The trip to the NJCAA Volleyball Championship was “ … surreal; going from my freshman year to going to nationals my sophomore year is crazy. It is one of the best experiences I have ever had,” Lorenzen said.
When asked if she would recommend Casper College, she replied, “I would 100% recommend it with no hesitation because Casper College is like a big family and a great place to start college.”
The Kelly Walsh High School graduate was chosen from a group of students who applied to compete in the 2026 graduation speaker tryouts. Each applicant was required to present the speech they would use for the graduation ceremony before a panel of judges. Each presenter was judged on having a clear topic and purpose in their speech; the quality of content, organization, and structure; and finally, on their delivery.
In addition to an outstanding speech and presentation, the 2025-2026 Student Commencement Speaker Contest winner had to have a minimum 3.0 GPA, graduate in the 2025-2026 school year, and be in good standing with Casper College. Thanks to her selection as the speaker at Casper College’s 2026 Commencement, Lorenzen will also receive a $500 award.
The 80th Annual Casper College Commencement Ceremony will be held Friday, May 15, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Ford Wyoming Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The commencement ceremony will also be available to view online. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.
At a Glance:
- Event Focus: The 80th Annual Casper College Commencement Ceremony, featuring student speaker Makenna Lorenzen.
- Key Participant: Makenna Lorenzen, Casper native and Associate of Arts in General Studies graduate.
- Logistics: Friday, May 15, 2026, at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. at the Ford Wyoming Center.
- Admission: The event is free and open to the public, with a live stream available online. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony.