Braeden Chesson had made a promise.
"I told my mom something silly, but I meant every word of it," the Washington County High School valedictorian told his graduating class Friday evening. "I said, 'I want to be valedictorian in 2026.' From that moment on, I locked in."
Chesson delivered his valedictorian address before a packed gymnasium as Washington County High School held commencement exercises for the Class of 2026.
For more information, visit the May 27, 2026, edition of the Roanoke Beacon. The newspaper's graduation edition, featuring headshots of the county's graduating seniors, will publish on June 3, 2026.