Huntington High School’s Class of 2026 Graduates

Huntington High School’s Class of 2026 received the sendoff it deserved before a crowd of more than 2,000 at last Friday night’s commencement exercises.

Clad in navy blue caps and gowns, 319 seniors marched into Blue Devil Stadium to a standing ovation as strains of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance No. 1” filled the air. The remarkable group garnered millions of dollars in scholarships and grants and gained admittance to some of the most select colleges and universities in the nation.

This marked the Huntington’s 165th annual commencement exercises, which date to July 18, 1862, when a class of six students earned diplomas in the midst of the Civil War. Few schools in the country can match such tradition.

“What makes Huntington truly special, goes beyond wins on a field and achievements in a classroom,” Huntington School Board President Xavier Palacios said. “Huntington is special because of who we are. We are a community shaped by diversity……diferente culturas, different backgrounds, different stories… .y diferentes idiomas all coming together as one. And THAT, THAT  is our strength. Huntington prepares you for a world that requires people who can adapt, connect, and lead. So, as you move forward, remember this: In life, your goals and aspirations can never be set high enough. Not now. Not ever. Aim higher than feels comfortable. Push further than feels safe. Dream bigger than feels realistic. Because the moment you think you’ve reached your limit… you’ve just found your next beginning. And no matter where life takes you whether it’s another state, another country, or another chapter entirely. Remember Huntington. Because there is nothing like this place. There’s a toughness here, a pride here, a sense of identity that stays with you no matter where you go.”

This year’s senior class captured numerous academic, artistic, athletic, musical and humanitarian awards, garnering county, state and national recognition along the way. The top scholars and student leaders sat in chairs on the huge stage last Friday night along with school officials and members of Huntington’s Board of Education.

Senior members of the chamber choir performed a lovely rendition of Francis Scott Key’s “Star Spangled Banner.” The 90 minute ceremony included a series of short addresses.

Salutatorian speaks during ceremony

Salutatorian Jaipreet Singh paid tribute to the high school’s faculty corps during his short address. “Thank you for answering questions you heard hundreds of times,” he said. “Thank you for coming in early and staying late to help us. Thank you for believing in us, even on the days we didn't believe in ourselves. Teachers do so much more than just teach from the books. They teach confidence. They teach resilience. They teach us how to think, how to grow, how to take accountability, and how to keep moving forward when things get hard. They truly help us become the best versions of ourselves. Many of us can point to a teacher who saw potential in us before we saw it ourselves, someone who challenged us when it would've been easier to settle. That teacher became a mentor who helped shape who we are becoming. And while our teachers guided us in the classroom, many others worked behind the scenes to make every school day possible. So, to our custodians, office staff, counselors, security, and everyone else who keeps this school running, thank you. Your work often goes unnoticed, but it has made a difference in every one of our lives.”

The tradition-laden ceremony evoked a variety of emotions in both the seniors and their family members as tears could be seen in more than a few eyes.

Valedictorian’s message to classmates

Valedictorian Emily Polinsky, who is headed to the University of Virginia in the fall to pursue studies in psychology, gave an impassioned address last Friday night. “The last couple of years have made me realize that there are a lot of ‘shoulds’ that other people will try to impose on you,” Ms. Polinsky said.

The valedictorian said people would the teenager was classes they “should” take; who colleges they “should” apply to attend and even what kind of friends they “should” These ‘shoulds’ remain constant throughout our lives because there’s always going to be someone who tells you where you should be at a certain time, what you should feel, or what your values should be. What I hope that we can all learn and grow to do is to determine what we ourselves truly desire. Because if you only listen to what everyone else says that you should do, without accessing it yourself, you won’t feel content or satisfied within your own life.”

Ms. Polinsky said the future is both frightening and exciting. “We are leaving the same starting line and hallways to follow different directions on a map, charting new territory in our lives and in our minds,” she said. “It’s frightening, starting something so new, because at the end of the day, the only thing this group of people may end up having in common is where our lives began. Yet, there’s something beautiful to that end, because there are plenty of stories that start with “Once upon a time”, but they don’t tend to end up in the same place. Now I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to live a story that's already been told. We’re at that point when we can define what should happen next. An accumulation of choices that will form unique stories. Whether you choose right or wrong, you aren’t going to know until later on. So, take the time to enjoy the journey and find comfort in the fact that you can decide what’s next. Or, in other words, what should happen in your life.”

Serving as master of ceremonies of the commencement were Kathleen Cocoman and Cecilena Monge Moreira. Teachers Danielle Raguzin and David Moriarty announced the name of each senior before diplomas were presented by members of the Huntington School Board. The two teachers served as the Class of 2026’s faculty advisors.

Principal Rochelle C. Brown speaks to crowd

Principal Rochelle C. Brown spoke about the pride that comes from being a Huntington Blue Devil. “The legacy you inherit today becomes the legacy you create tomorrow,” she said. “Class of 2026, your diploma represents four years of hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, and growth. But your greatest achievement has yet to come. It will be measured not by the title you hold or the career you choose, but by the lives you touch, the character you demonstrate, and the difference you make. Take the lessons you've learned here. Take the friendships you've built.
Take the pride of being a Blue Devil. Carry it into every classroom, every workplace, every community, and every opportunity that awaits you. And wherever life leads you, remember where your story began.”

Superintendent gives uplifting address

Superintendent Beth McCoy gave an uplifting address to the seniors and their families. She told the “candidates for graduation” that they should “be confident” as they moves ahead.

“As you leave here this evening, you will begin writing the next chapter of your lives, and that next step will look different for each of you,” Mr. McCoy said. “Some will continue their education, some will enter the workforce, some will serve our communities or our country, and others will pursue apprenticeships, travel, entrepreneurship, or opportunities not yet imagined. Some of you know exactly where your path leads next, while others are still discovering the direction you want to take. Both are perfectly fine. Wherever your journey leads, know that the opportunities before you are limitless. What matters most is that you continue moving forward with confidence, purpose, and an openness to the possibilities that lie ahead.

Mr. McCoy told the teenagers that “you are entering a world that needs your ideas, your energy, your creativity, and your compassion. The challenges ahead will be different from the ones you have faced here, but the qualities that brought you to this moment, perseverance, curiosity, kindness, and determination, will continue to guide you. While it is natural to feel nostalgic about what you are leaving behind, I encourage you to embrace what lies ahead with confidence and optimism.”

As Mrs. McCoy signaled the seniors had met the requirements for a diploma and were now officially graduated, the new alums tossed their caps high into the air to the cheers of the crowd, before hugging one another and being congratulated by their families.

The teenagers and their loved ones lingered for more than an hour on the athletic fields, posing for countless rounds of photos and saying goodbye to one another, Many of them realized this would be the last time the entire Class of 2026 would be assembled together in one place and they appeared unwilling to let go of the moment even a minute too early.