Fountain Central High School has announced Kearney Foxworthy-DeJournett as the valedictorian and Lydia Ranae Perkins and Heidy Arleth Muniz-Montero as co-salutatorians for the Class of 2026. Graduation ceremonies will be held at 7 p.m. Friday in the main gym at the high school.
DeJournett, the daughter of Michael and Jayme DeJournett of Veedersburg, earned the distinction of valedictorian after building an impressive resume both in and out of the classroom during her time at Fountain Central.
She was involved in Drama Club for two years, Art Club for three years, serving as treasurer for two years and vice president for one year, along with High School Softball, Spanish Club, Fine Arts Bowl, National Honor Society and Spell Bowl. She also completed an internship with the Journal Review.
Following graduation, DeJournett plans to attend Indiana State University to study criminology and criminal justice. She hopes to become a lawyer and pursue a career focused on justice and equality within the court system.
Perkins, the daughter of Darin and Stephanie Perkins of Hillsboro, was named co-salutatorian. Throughout high school, she balanced academics, athletics, leadership roles and church involvement.
Perkins participated in girls’ tennis for four years, earning a varsity letter her senior year and serving as team captain. In girls wrestling, she earned varsity letters for two years and collected several honors, including conference champion, sectional champion, regional qualifier and team captain. She also served as varsity manager for the boys wrestling team for three years.
In addition to athletics, Perkins was a four-year recipient of the Phil Rash Scholar Athlete Award, a Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship finalist for 2025-26 and a participant in the Wabash River Career and Technical Education Professions program. She was also involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, choir, drama club, Spanish Club and fine arts throughout high school while remaining active in the United Church of Tilton and Sterling Christian Church Youth Group.
Perkins plans to attend Ozark Christian College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in counseling and pastoral care. She hopes to work with elementary and middle school students and help them feel safe, loved and valued.
Muniz-Montero, the daughter of Fernando Muniz-Luna of Veracruz, Mexico, and Elizabeth Montero of Veedersburg, was also named co-salutatorian.
During high school, Muniz-Montero held leadership positions in several academic organizations, including Student Council, English Bowl, Science Bowl and National Honor Society. She served as English Bowl captain for four years and Science Bowl captain for two years.
She also played JV tennis, volunteered as an interpreter, translator and family liaison, worked at Suzie Q’s Family Ice Cream Shop and completed WRCTE CNA vocational training during her senior year.
Her honors include being named the 2026 Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship recipient, receiving the Female Rockville Lodge Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship and being recognized as part of the Rising Stars of Indiana Class of 2026.
Muniz-Montero plans to attend the University of Notre Dame, where she will major in psychology with double minors in health, humanities and society and philosophy. She plans to pursue a doctorate in clinical psychology and hopes to become a clinical health psychologist whose work combines patient care and research focused on social determinants of health.
