The Silver Creek Central School District celebrated its 74th annual commencement by encouraging the 64 graduating seniors to put in the hard work and seize the day. On Friday, the Class of 2026 proceeded to the stage to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance," and the program began with the National Anthem sung by senior chorus members. A traditional Seneca opening performed by senior Amirya Warrior and Encouragement in Seneca was said by Hailie Rybij. The senior chorus also performed the song "Time" by Lucy Cook.
Superintendent Dr. Katie Ralston welcomed graduates and their families, offering advice from the song "For Good" from the musical "Wicked."
Ralston said, "Look around at your classmates. Look at the families, teachers, friends, and mentors who helped you reach this moment. Every one of them has shaped who you are, and you have shaped us. Let them help you -- help them in return."
Salutatorian Samuel Bowers thanked the teachers, coaches, mentors and family members who supported the Class of 2026 on their journey. He said, "All of us reached this point in our own way and that is incredible. Some of us gained determination through athletics, some of us became perfectionists through academics, and some of us have already started to master our trades. We have all grown as people in our own ways. If there is one thing that I've learned these last few years of high school, it's this. Getting knocked down only hurts if you don't get back up stronger."
Valedictorian Nathan Cross explained that he had no new advice for his peers that they had not already learned from the "life coaches" they had throughout the last four years. He said, "Our teachers taught us math, English, history, and science. But in reality, they taught us much more than that. They taught us confidence by believing in us before we believed in ourselves. They challenged us because they knew we were capable of more than we thought. And most importantly, they celebrated our accomplishments, making us feel proud of what we've done. Years from now I probably won't remember every equation I solved or every essay I've written. But I'll remember the teachers who expected more from me than I expected from myself." Cross added that teachers weren't their only life coaches, also thanking family and friends.
Dr. John Falcone, Class of 1998 valedictorian, addressed the Class of 2026. Falcone attended Cornell University and the University at Pittsburgh to go on to become a surgeon. He was active in cross-country and music when he attended Silver Creek Central School and continues both hobbies as a marathon runner and a musician for an independent Christian rock music ministry called Falcone Rising. His advice for the new graduates was to keep an open mind when it comes to the future.
Photos by the Silver Creek Central School District
