Genesee Valley Central School Celebrates 30th Annual Commencement Ceremony
From GVCS,
Genesee Valley Central School honored its graduating Class of 2026 at the Thirtieth Annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 27.
Abbygail Meigs delivered the senior commencement address, taking a moment to honor the teachers and staff who shaped the class throughout their time at Genesee Valley. “There is a certain kind of person who looks at a room full of young people and sees not just who they are, but who they are capable of becoming,” Meigs said. “You were those people for us. And whether you knew it or not, that made all the difference.”
Jacey Davis delivered the memory speech, painting a picture of a class defined less by tests and homework than by the moments in between — a chaotic trip to Boston, a Youth and Government road trip that turned into a traveling karaoke concert, a D.C. adventure, and the kind of everyday moments that somehow become the ones you remember longest.
Whitney Young offered the class farewell, capturing the bittersweet nature of the moment. “I’m proud of all of us,” Young said. “Proud of how far we’ve come, proud of who we’ve become, and proud to graduate beside all of you today.”
Kenton Shultz presented the class gift — a contribution toward a bronze jaguar statue to be placed at the front of the school, continuing a tradition supported by several previous graduating classes.
Six graduates were recognized as members of the National Honor Society: Jacey Davis, Ryker Holmes, Nolan Hunter, Meara Kelley, Lannden Tilton, and Whitney Young.
The ceremony also recognized honor graduates across three classifications. Whitney Young graduated Summa Cum Laude. Graduating Magna Cum Laude were Jacey Davis, Ryker Holmes, Nolan Hunter, Meara Kelley, Tristan Metatos, Kenton Shultz, and Lannden Tilton. Graduating Cum Laude were Bryce Davis, Tayla Brenna, Cree Bulkley, Logan Callahan, Cole Cochran, Ethan Davenport, Mason Fanton, Ian MacKenzie, and Christina McAuley.
Retirees Paula Roberts, Linda Warner, Darla Babbitt, and Chris Horton were honored during the ceremony for their years of service to the Genesee Valley community.
Diplomas were presented by Superintendent Dr. Paige Kinnaird and Board of Education President Heath Gordon.
