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Aspen High School celebrates 2026 graduates as Strassburger moves into new role

Nat Geo photographer Pete McBride gave the commencement address

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Austin Colbert
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Students toss their caps into the air to conclude the Aspen High School graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 23, 2026, inside the Michael Klein Music Tent in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

More than 120 seniors became Aspen High School graduates on Saturday inside the Michael Klein Music Tent, plus one honorary member who may be moving on, although not far.

With AHS Principal Sarah Strassburger stepping into an assistant superintendent role within the Aspen School District, the 137th commencement ceremony was her final one working specifically with the high school, a journey that began in 2006 when she joined AHS as an English teacher. The students she “graduated” with this spring were mere babies when she initially joined the Skier family.

“For me, your journeys are deeply personal. I have known many of you since you were very small,” Strassburger told the class of 2026 from the music tent stage. “If there is one thing I hope you carry forward is this: Be kind, always, no matter how hard it gets. Kindness is not weakness — it is strength, especially when life is difficult.”

She also gave a special shout out to kindergarten teacher Beth Wille, who is retiring after 32 years with the school district.

Assistant Principal Nina Pulatie, who narrated the handing out of the diplomas, will become the interim principal as the district continues to seek a long-term replacement for Strassburger. In many ways, she is following in the footsteps of her predecessor, current ASD Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry, who joined AHS as its principal in 2015 before becoming assistant superintendent in 2020 and superintendent in 2024.


Mulberry made sure to recognize Strassburger’s 20 years of dedication to AHS during the ceremony.

“We are grateful for the impact she has made and will continue to make across the Aspen schools,” he said. “She has left an indelible mark on our district and in Aspen High School, and Aspen High School, Sarah, is better because of you.”

Beyond recognizing the leadership change, the ceremony’s main speech came from renowned photographer and Roaring Fork Valley native Pete McBride, who gave the commencement address. Known for his years of work with National Geographic, McBride is also the uncle of Jasper McBride, who was part of this year’s graduating class.

Aspen School District Superintendent Tharyn Mulberry, left, poses with Aspen High School Principal Sarah Strassburger during the graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 23, 2026, inside the Michael Klein Music Tent in Aspen. Strassburger will now move into a role as an assistant superintendent, ending her time working specifically with the high school.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Renowned photographer and Roaring Fork Valley native Pete McBride gives the commencement address during the Aspen High School graduation ceremony on Saturday, May 23, 2026, inside the Michael Klein Music Tent in Aspen.
Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times

“That is the exciting challenge you are about to embark on. When I was your age, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” McBride told the graduates in his speech. “As you go out into the world and find your path, wherever it may take you … you have an amazing journey ahead of you, and I’m very proud of you, and I can’t wait to see where you go.”

Student speakers included Chase Slesinger-Hall, who introduced McBride, as well as Pyramid Speaker Carter Kuhlman (selected by the students) and Capitol Speaker Owen Cruz-Abrams (chosen by the staff). In recent years, AHS has moved away from more traditional valedictorian and salutatorian speeches.

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“As the Pyramid Speaker, I was elected by the members of my class. So, I would like to first thank my classmates for dumping one more homework assignment on my plate,” joked Kuhlman, who is headed to the U.S. Naval Academy to study nuclear engineering before embarking on a career in the military. “I am proud of my community. I am proud of my family and my friends, and I could not be more proud to be just one small part of Aspen High School’s class of 2026.”

Musical performances were provided by Belle Voci and Aspen Voices choirs, with Kuhlman joining Eli Genshaft and Khalil Khan-Farooqi for a song that even got a strong nod from McBride before his speech. Jacob Owsley and Josie Brands paired up for the final performance, with Margaret Buck and Kuhlman leading the tassel change.

“You’ve helped shape the culture and spirit of Aspen High School, and today we celebrate all that you have accomplished,” Mulberry told the graduates. “Your generation is creative, thoughtful and capable of making an extraordinary difference. We believe deeply in you and are excited to see where your journeys lead.”

Reach Austin at acolbert@aspentimes.com

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