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Poughkeepsie High School

Together, We Are Champions for Children in Poughkeepsie City Schools

Commencement 2026

Commencement 2026

 

Key Moments

0:50:30 – Procession of students begins
1:02:50 – Presentation of colors and performances of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
1:08:45 – Principal Dr. Phee Simpson’s welcome address
1:12:25 – Remarks from Board of Education Vice President Eleanor Evans-Chiarenza
1:14:50 – Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott provides remarks
1:19:44 – Remarks from Mayor Yvonne Flowers and State Sen. Rob Rolison
1:23:30 – Senior class counselor Jason Conrad presents the honors graduates
1:27:10 – Senior class Vice President Renata Martinez addresses classmates
1:31:05 – Salutatory Address from Aubrey Wood
1:36:00 – Valedictory Address from Israa Hadine
1:41:38 – Keynote speaker introduction from Executive Director of School Engagement Da’Ron Wilson
1:43:55 – Keynote speech from Rashad Ricketts
1:53:40 – Presentation of Diplomas
2:42:05 – Closing

A group of graduates in blue gowns and gold sashes pose for a photo.
Rows of identical blue boxes are neatly stacked, creating a textured pattern.
Two young women in blue graduation gowns and yellow sashes smile for a photo.
Two graduates in blue caps and gowns smile for a photo, wearing orange and white sashes.
A young person in a blue graduation cap and gown smiles and gives a thumbs-up.
Graduates in blue caps and gowns walk in a procession.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps celebrate their achievement.
Graduates in blue caps and gowns pose for a photo, with one person taking the picture.
Two men in academic regalia walk together outdoors, one wearing a green gown and the other a black robe.
Graduates in blue and gold gowns and caps walk in a procession.
Graduates in blue and gold robes walk in a procession, holding balloons.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps walk together outdoors.
A group of young musicians sits on chairs on a grassy field, facing a conductor.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown walks past rows of empty chairs at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown waves to the crowd, holding a diploma.
A young woman in a blue graduation cap and gown smiles and adjusts her cap.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps stand on a field, with a crowd in the background.
Two young people, one in a green uniform and the other in a pink dress, stand near a microphone.
Two young men in blue robes with orange sashes stand at a podium with papers and a laptop.
A group of people in blue uniforms stand in formation on a sports field, holding flags.
A young woman in a blue graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium during a commencement ceremony.
A person in academic regalia speaks at a podium during an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps sit in an outdoor ceremony, with a speaker at a podium.
A woman in sunglasses speaks at a podium with a microphone.
A man in a black robe and glasses speaks at a wooden podium with a microphone.
A woman in a floral top speaks at a podium during an outdoor ceremony.
A man in a suit and cap speaks at a podium with a microphone.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps celebrate outdoors, with one person raising their arms in excitement.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown looks towards the camera at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown speaks into a microphone at a podium.
A young woman in a blue graduation gown and cap speaks at a podium, holding papers and a phone.
A group of people, some in academic regalia, sit attentively outdoors.
A graduate wearing a blue cap and gown speaks into a microphone at a commencement ceremony.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps sit together at an outdoor ceremony.
A young man in a blue graduation gown speaks at a podium with a microphone.
A man in a black academic robe waves to the crowd at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in blue and black gowns clap and cheer at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with a man in a suit and cap at a graduation ceremony.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps receive diplomas at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown receives a diploma from an official in academic regalia.
Two graduates in blue gowns and caps shake hands at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown with a red sash walks forward, wearing glasses.
A man in a graduation gown and a straw hat speaks at a podium with a microphone.
A graduate with colorful braided hair shakes hands with another graduate in a blue cap and gown.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with a woman in a floral dress at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles while taking a selfie with a phone.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps receive diplomas at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown receives a diploma from an official in academic robes.
A graduate in a blue robe and floral cap receives a diploma from an official in academic regalia.
Graduates in blue caps and gowns stand in a line, some smiling, at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in blue gowns receive diplomas on a stage decorated with blue and white flowers.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown receives a high-five from a man in a hat at a graduation ceremony.
A young graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles as she walks past a podium at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles with family members at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown embraces a person in academic regalia.
A young man in a blue graduation gown and cap gives a thumbs-up, holding a diploma and balloons.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown receives a diploma.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps are recognized on a stage during an outdoor ceremony.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown stands at a podium next to a speaker.
A young graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown is embraced by a woman at a graduation ceremony.
A young graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma, smiling with family and educators.
A man in academic regalia hugs a graduate in a blue cap and gown.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown joyfully raises their arms and a diploma at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps gather on a stage at an outdoor ceremony.
A young graduate in a blue cap and gown with sunglasses looks forward at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles, holding a diploma from Binghamton High School.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with an instructor in academic regalia.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps stand in a line, holding diplomas at an outdoor ceremony.
Two graduates in blue gowns and caps take selfies with their phones at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown waves to the crowd at an outdoor ceremony.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with an official at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown is embraced by a man in academic regalia at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles as they adjust their cap, adorned with medals.
A young graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma, surrounded by smiling adults in academic regalia.
A young man in a blue graduation gown and cap smiles and claps at an outdoor ceremony.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown gestures with their hand while holding a phone.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma from "Poughkeepsie High School, Poughkeepsie, New York".
A smiling young man in a blue graduation cap and gown, wearing a sash with national emblems.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps hold diplomas at a commencement ceremony.
Young women in blue graduation gowns and caps hold diplomas, anticipating their ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with an official at an outdoor ceremony.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma at a commencement ceremony.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps stand together, some wearing red sashes with 'LIBERTY' printed on them.
A young person in a blue graduation cap and gown looks thoughtfully into the distance.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps walk across a green field, celebrating their commencement.
Two graduates in blue caps and gowns hold diplomas, with family members beside them.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps walk down a hallway, holding diplomas.
A crowd of graduates in blue gowns and caps celebrate outside a school building, holding balloons and flowers.

Class of 2026 receives a 'passport to the future'

Two graduates relish their diplomas in blue cap and gown.One by one, 186 Poughkeepsie High School students Friday evening walked across a stage, shook hands with school, district and government leaders, and received a diploma in a blue engraved case.

That diploma, Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott said, “is far more than a piece of paper. It is your passport to the future.

”On an evening in which the Pioneers gathered to celebrate where they’ve been, where they will go next was a favorite topic during high school’s 154th Commencement Exercises.

“This evening, this stadium is filled with years of hard work, quiet sacrifices and well-earned victories,” Mott said, before encouraging them to “step into your next chapter with courage.”

The ceremony was held on the school’s football field under sunny skies as late-day heat slowly gave way to a comfortable evening and an event filled with music and energy.

The high school’s combined orchestra and band performed the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” and students performed both “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Later, Clinton Elementary Principal Dr. David Scott and his son led the impending graduates in a dance break.

Live translation was available for non-English-speaking attendees, through devices made available to anyone who needed one as they entered the field. American Sign Language translators were also on stage for all speeches.

Throughout, large crowds of family and friends cheered on each student from seating on the field and the surrounding bleachers.

A young woman in a blue graduation gown smiles as she walks past a podium.“Today is a day of celebration,” Principal Dr. Phee Simpson said. “You are standing at a pivotal point in your lives; a moment between what has been and what is yet to come. As you move forward, remember this: Education is not just about school. Education is not just about grades. Education is freedom and education is access. Education is possibility and education is learning how the world works, so one day you can decide how you want to move in it.

 “The diploma you receive today is not the end of your education,” she continued, “it is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to learning, growing and becoming the person you are capable of being."

Of the 186 total graduates celebrated Friday, 44 completed high school with an average of 90 or better, earning a seat on the dais with school and district administration, as well as Mayor Yvonne Flowers, State Sen. Rob Rolison and keynote speaker Rashad Ricketts, a 2014 Poughkeepsie High School graduate himself.

Ricketts, a financial analyst with a master’s degree in business analytics, and a board member of the city’s Industrial Development Agency, said he hoped to serve to the graduates as proof that success is possible for them regardless of their backgrounds. He encouraged them to stay true to themselves while pushing forward.

Graduates in blue caps and gowns stand in a line, some wearing decorative sashes.“Growth is not always comfortable, but it’s always necessary,” he said. “People don’t clap for seeds, they clap for trees.”

Both Salutatorian Aubrey Wood and Valedictorian Israa Hadine – best friends who both plan to attend Vassar College and Marist University, respectively – discussed personal journeys in their remarks. Wood talked about the importance – especially for women – of having the confidence to speak up and be heard. Hadine reminded her classmates people all face differing struggles – some more challenging than others.

“Your story matters, your journey matters and although today we leave this place in different directions, we will forever remain chapters in one another’s life,” said Hadine, who also served as class president.

The concept that each individual in the graduating class is different but, still, they experienced something collectively, was touched on several times through the ceremony, including by class vice president Renata Martinez.

“Life will take each of us in different directions. Some will attend college, some will begin their careers,” she said. “No matter where we go, we will carry with us the experiences, friendships and lessons we’ve gained here. We can’t promise you we know where we’re going, yet, but we do promise we will continue to learn, grow and have the courage to take the next step.”