Dunkirk High School Celebrates Perseverance, Determination of 2026 Class

Saturday marked the end of one chapter for the Dunkirk High School Class of 2026, but in the words of their class president, it's not the end of their story. Families and friends of the new graduates gathered to celebrate at SUNY Fredonia's King Concert Hall during the school's 168th Commencement. Director of Secondary Education Corey Markham told the graduates, who comprised the first 8th-grade class in the school's history, that they helped define what it means to be a middle and high school student under one roof...

Corey Markham: persevered and adapted together

Salutatorian Ryleigh Donato said the class earned its moment as it "overcame obstacles, learned from mistakes, and...kept moving forward." She encouraged her classmates to continue to chase success...

Ryleigh Donato: chase success with determination and confidence

Valedictorian Giada Kirell says Dunkirk's Class of 2026 is not going into the world "unprepared"...

Giada Kirell: Dunkirk has prepared us

Class President Olivia Cole told her classmates, "As we move forward into the next chapter of our lives, we will all take different paths. But no matter where life takes us, we will always share the experiences that brought us to this moment and made these years unforgettable."

Also during Saturday's ceremony, Social Studies Department Chair Jill Domenico presented the John J. and Helen B. Mancuso Scholarship and the Dunkirk Teachers Association Scholarship to Madelynn Waite.

Click here for Saturday's full commencement ceremony.

Images and audio from Fredonia Access