Dalirys Soto-Burgos and Addison Kederle will continue to be classmates now that their days at Elba Jr/Sr High School are over - both are headed to Roberts Wesleyan University.
They were among the soon-to-be graduates waiting in the cafeteria for the call to line up for the procession into Friday night's ceremony. With some time to spare before that happened, they talked about the high school memories they'll carry with them.
"I would say 'Thank you' to my art teachers, Miss (Staci) Ellingham and Mrs. (Nicole) Hodge for bringing me to the love of art and following those steps in college, and being more outgoing and friendlier," said Soto-Burgos, who will go on to study digital media arts and major in graphic arts. She said that helped her to grow out of the shyness she had when she was little."
Having a solid group of friends is something Kederle, who will pursue marketing, says she'll take with her from Elba.
"We're all a family, being a smaller school. Having a friend group - even if we're all leaving, we're still going to be really close and stay in contact," she said.
The two of them came to Elba in sixth grade. Kederle went to St. Paul Lutheran in Batavia through fifth grade, then came to Elba the following year. Soto-Burgos originally came to the area from Puerto Rico.
"New opportunities and my dad was working here, so we decided to move here," Soto-Burgos said.
Once the Class of 2026 was on stage in the auditorium, District Principal Jessica Cramer said she's had the privilege of seeing the hard work the graduates have put into so many things.
"It's been truly an honor getting to know so many of you over the years and even more closely this year - whether it's working alongside when you helped with many of our elementary events; traveling across the world on trips to Spain, Greece and Italy; or watching you in your success in academics, athletic contests, musicals or other extracurricular events," she said.
While she may have stepped into her role as district principal more recently, Cramer said, she's enjoyed watching the class grow over the last four years.
"Graduation is a celebration of everything you've accomplished, but it's also the beginning of a journey none of us can fully predict," she said. "As you step beyond the familiar, you'll face moments of excitement, uncertainty, unexpected detours and incredible opportunities for growth. The road ahead won't always reveal where it leads, but it will invite us to keep moving forward."
Valedictorian Bing Zuber spoke about the benefits of getting involved in activities.
"Compete in an FFA contest. Join a club. Go to Tech Wars. Do something," he said. "Going to a small school gives you the opportunity to be a part of as many teams and organizations as you want. The life lessons and experiences you gain from putting yourself out there and engaging in these activities will help you become a more well-rounded person, which in turn will help you when you're applying for colleges, scholarships and especially as veterans of life after high school."
Zuber thanked his fellow graduates for being by his side on his journey through life.
"I know this time of our lives can elicit a wide array of emotions from fear of what lies ahead to plain happiness from being done with school," he said with a smile. "I can assure you, I felt everything in between."
The National Center for Education Statistics says 91% of American adults have graduated from high school.
"I do bring this up to demonstrate that the real accomplishments of this class have yet to come," Zuber said. "I know we have heard, over and over again, that this day is not the end, but merely the beginning. I've said, numerous times, that the group of adults on this stage with me is one of, if not the best, classes to graduate from this school. Do not let today be your greatest achievement. Go out and do great things. Within all of you is the power to change the world. I truly believe that."
Superintendent Gretchen Rosales said she was sure that when the graduates were little, they would ask their parents to watch what they were about to do, only to do something precarious. That's what would happen to her, she recalled.
"I would look and summon the attention they wanted, and then something disastrous would happen," she said, smiling and waving her hand.
"I believe - and this is not scientific in any way - that this is based on our innate human need to want to be seen. It's not about being watched, but being seen, validated and valued for being a part of the human race," she told the Class of 2026 toward the end of the ceremony Friday night, before going on to talk about individual graduates. "Over the last eight years, both as your principal and your superintendent, I have had the opportunity to see you - every single one of you."
Former Spanish teacher Kayla Cassidy came up to the podium as the commencement speaker and said she left parting gifts under the chairs where graduates were sitting on Friday night.
"If you look under your seat, you'll find a little suitcase with your name on it - a suitcase, because none of us really know where life will take you," Cassidy said. "Wherever life takes you, there are a few things I hope you'll pack with you."
Cassidy asked the graduates not to open their suitcases until after they left the stage that night. Among the items in them was a mini-clock pendant. It was included to remind them that there is no reason to rush through life.
"In case you are feeling pressured, as I was, by society's idea of success, let me be the one to tell you there is no such thing as a timeline for your life," she said. "It is not a race. There is no prize for arriving at the next milestone first. In fact, my almost-3-year-old has taught me much about this, that there is value in slowing down, so that you don't miss the small, but important, moments that are happening all around you - even if it is just an ant crawling in the street."
Salutatorian Hannah Baldwin said she hopes the graduates truly recognize the weight of their major achievement in graduating from Elba and the power it will soon behold.
"From this moment on, we are propelled into a vast, unknown world, where we are left to actively design our lives and ultimately decide what we are meant to become," she said. "Our next steps, whether big or small, will determine the history we write as well as pave the way to a legacy our families, children and grandchildren will hold dear."
She said her paternal grandparents have passed away. While cleaning out her grandparents' house, the family found newspaper clippings about them, as well as awards and distinguished honors they had earned. The word "legacy" took on a new meaning in Baldwin's world.
"In that moment, I realized that my grandparents' lives were not a reflection of the physical items they possessed, but rather the values they embodied," she said. "Since their passing, I have vowed to live a life dedicated to honoring the people they were, while also aspiring to build a legacy of my own."
The graduates must take their next steps with three fundamental questions in mind, Baldwin said: "Who can I become? Who do I want to become? Most importantly, who am I going to become?"
Class President Lydia Ross said that because of the Class of 2026's competitiveness and encouragement, everyone in the class is capable of doing incredible things.
"Looking at all of you, I will continue to see two versions of you," she said. "I will still think of the little kids I grew up next to in elementary school, competing in gym class, cool math games ... In this version of you, I also see memories - memories of sports, group chat arguments, Homecoming events, senior activities and, most of all, every joke and laugh that we shared.
"I also see the version of you that shows what you are meant to become - from teachers to electricians, to businessmen, farmers, doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, mechanics, welders, engineers, military personnel, nurses, and so much more," Ross continued. "More importantly, I also see your drive, determination, perseverance and unique personality that will no doubt help give you all a great future."
While for some in the class, graduation is just a new chapter and "goodbye" does not seem that sad, others have a temporary or forever goodbye that makes it more bittersweet, the class president said.
"However, let's not dwell on sad goodbyes, but rather celebrate our accomplishments and be excited for our new beginnings. May we all continue to grow, pursue our dreams and make a positive impact wherever life happens to take us," Ross said.
The Class of 2026 includes: Jadiel Amaro, Hannah Baldwin, Jacen Belluscio, Mark Bondaruk, Noah Calarco-Smith, Mark Caparco, Evelyn Chadbourne, Alahna Chatt, Lillian Finkney, Jada Fite, Ashley Henning, Addison Keberle, Grace Koch, Eliseo Lagunas Perez, Caroline Luft, Caleb Mack, Samuel Melgarejo, Cheyanne Navarra, Fletcher Norton, Jeffrey Perez Fuentes, Makala Petrie, Brendan Porey, Emilio Rosales, Lydia Ross, Gunnar Scarborough, Nicholas Scott, Brea Smith, Tristan Snell, Dalirys Soto-Burgos, Jade Winn, Bing Zuber.
