Two Rhinebeck High School seniors were celebrated, along with students from 12 other Dutchess County school districts, during the annual Dutchess BOCES Distinguished Graduate Recognition Breakfast on June 6 at the Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls.
Valedictorian Sophie Derman and salutatorian Laila Valentino were honored for their academic and extracurricular achievements.
Derman, who will major in political science at Georgetown University, only started at RHS in her sophomore year, but made an impact on the school by being involved in many organizations, including serving as president of the district Advocate for Community Transformation, where she promoted inclusivity and combatted discrimination.
“She embodied the heart of our district’s mission, particularly its very unique call for a generosity of spirit,” Rhinebeck Superintendent Albert Cousins said. “She leads not only for her own recognition, but to uplift others.”
Valentino was not able to attend, but Cousins noted that she has demonstrated exceptional academic dedication who actively contributed to the school community by participating in the National Honor Society and the Peer Leadership Club and volunteered with the Red Cross. She will study biological sciences on a pre-med track at Binghamton University, inspired by her mother who works in the medical field.
“Her quiet determination and strong sense of purpose have earned her not only academic distinction but the admiration of our entire school community,” Cousins said of Valentino.
Dutchess BOCES District Superintendent Jodi DeLucia and Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino welcomed guests before everyone enjoyed a hearty buffet breakfast.
This year’s keynote speaker L’Quette Taylor, Founder and CEO of Community Matters 2 Inc., shared that when he asked his mother for $20 when he was 23, she told him that he had to do something with his life.
“My mother cared about me, so she gave me the best advice that she could … understand there are people here today that care about you,” Taylor said. “Every choice that you make matters, actually think about how you’re moving forward and how you’re going to do this.”
Taylor also advised students to be themselves, not to procrastinate and to not let failure hold them back.
“Failure is not a threat that you’re going to fail, it’s a gift, it’s a lesson,” Taylor said. “Do not follow the crowd and understand why you’re here … be impactful.”