The sun shone brightly on Rhinebeck High School’s Class of 2026, as for the first time, graduation ceremonies were held on the track instead of in front of the school. Saturday’s ceremony was entertaining and emotional as each speaker brought their own perspective on the occasion.
For Class Officers Sawyer Giles and Adrian Jensen, it was bringing smiles to each other and the class, as they shared how many minutes it took them to reach this point (6,837,480 minutes from the age of five, according to Giles). They spoke about wanting to create memories in the community and their involvement in various clubs and activities.
“We were encouraged by our amazing community around us and ended up succeeding in many ways,” Jensen said.
They credited Senior Class Adviser Kathy Giles with being the best adviser the class could ask for and thanked the Class of 2026 for everything they contributed to Rhinebeck High School.
“Sawyer and I wish you the absolute best and I know each and every one of you will do amazing things and become incredible adults … Don’t waste a single minute,” Jensen said. “And now, around minute 7 million, I will end this speech.”
Superintendent Albert Cousins said the Class of 2026, didn’t simply experience Rhinebeck, they helped redefine it by creating new traditions, including bookending Senior Sunrise with a Senior Sunset, going on the first overnight senior trip in many years, embracing the new graduation space and rekindling school spirit.
“You will be remembered as a class that put the priority and action on the notion of community,” Cousins said.
Mason Decker introduced his oldest and closest friend, salutatorian Alan Raitt, describing him as really smart, hilarious and caring more about the method than the process. Capitalizing on the introduction, Raitt strode to the podium with a very large, embellished binder.
“I’ve prepared a short speech, I hope to finish before my hat falls off,” he said to laughter.
He said Rhinebeck’s teachers taught the class how to be curious and his message to his classmates was to stay curious.
“Curiosity is a catalyst of change. With continuous change comes inevitable failure, that’s statistics for you, but life is nothing without change,” Raitt said. “The risk is worth taking. I cannot tell you to not be afraid of failure. I’m afraid of failure, but I can tell you that it’s OK to be nervous. And those of us who are nervous, we are nervous together.”
He continued: “A question that plagues me is, ‘Am I enough or more specifically, will I be enough. I think many of you may be asking that question too. … You are ready, You are enough. You will be enough.’”
Nora Lopez, who will attend SUNY New Paltz as an undecided major, is curious.
“I’m excited to explore my options,” she said. “Reaching this day is really important to me because it demonstrates the hard work I put into my studies.”
Jensen returned to the podium to introduce her best friend and valedictorian Beatrice Macdonald, who founded the Robotics Club, hugging briefly on the lawn before Macdonald took the stage.
“The culture of collaboration and friendship is what has made this community the one that I’ve cherished since I joined this school as a freshman,” Macdonald said. “As I now look out on all of us today, I’m proud of us.”
Acknowledging that there is so much more ahead for each class member, Macdonald said, “We’ve already made great progress. We’ve learned how to take responsibility, how to navigate big changes and how to make meaningful relationships.”
She thanked her family and the families in the audience, the teachers, counselors, administrators and every school-related professional who shaped the past four years.
She closed by saying, “Let us remember what we’ve been given, and do everything we can to make sure every person in our town, our state, our country, our continent and even our world is given the same chance. Let us remember education is for all. Let us remember these gifts are for all. Let us remember to go out into the world and fight the objective evil we see for all.”
Graduate Jake Bennett is excited to be heading to Ohio Technical College to learn about working on race cars - something he really enjoys. He completed Dutchess BOCES’ Automotive Technology program. Looking back on his time in Rhinebeck (he started in fourth grade), Bennett said he liked it because it was relaxed, and that he would miss all his friends and connections, especially the shop he used to visit to work on cars.
For Nathaniel Mastroeni, graduation was a small milestone and now he’s ready to move on. He’ll be studying criminal justice at Dutchess Community College before transferring to a four-year school. Having attended Rhinebeck since the beginning of his schooling, Mastroeni said he’ll miss his friends the most.
Congratulations to all of Rhinebeck High School’s Class of 2026!