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Poughkeepsie High School

Together, We Are Champions for Children in Poughkeepsie City Schools

Summer Commencement 2026

Summer Commencement 2026

Graduating high school is among the most meaningful achievements in a young person’s life.

The timing of that accomplishment, Board of Education President Jamar Cummings impressed upon the graduating class Wednesday, is meaningless.

“So, somebody else may have walked across the stage in June, but your journey took you to August.” he said. “So, what?

“You know what your diploma is going to say?” he continued. “It’s going to say that you graduated.”

Eighteen Poughkeepsie High School students earned their diplomas by completing the last of their requirements this summer. Fifteen of them were in attendance Wednesday at the school’s newly renovated auditorium, each wearing the same blue cap-and-gown as those who walked across a stage in June.

In all, more than 200 Poughkeepsie students earned their diplomas in the last two months.

The ceremony was led by summer school co-principals Joseph Mazzetti and Robert Parkes, with comments from Superintendent of Schools Gregory Mott and Cummings serving as the keynote speaker.

Mott explained, he relishes being able to speak to the group celebrating at the August ceremony as, “you have overcome and you didn’t give up. You kept on moving forward.”

He told the group he, also, celebrated at summer ceremonies as both an undergraduate and graduate.

“What you have experienced is part of life. Sometimes our plans won’t come fully into fruition in the timeframe we wanted it to come,” he said. “But what you have already demonstrated at such a young age is, moving forward, you can overcome and achieve whatever you put your mind in doing.”

Though graduation may have come two months later than expected, Cummings said there is a lesson in this experience: “Delay is not denial,” he told them. “Life doesn’t follow your schedule.”

Mazzetti talked about the little voice of doubt inside each one of us, and encouraged the graduates to let this accomplishment bolster their confidence.

“You accomplished graduating high school and you can accomplish anything you want,” he said. “Don’t listen to that voice. Don’t listen to anyone else and you can do anything you set out to do.”

A line of graduates in blue gowns and caps walk down a hallway.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps sit in an auditorium, awaiting their ceremony.
Graduates in blue gowns stand at attention during a ceremony, with the American flag and a blue flag displayed.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps sit in an auditorium, looking forward.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium next to an American flag.
A man speaks at a podium on a stage during a graduation ceremony, with an American flag and floral arrangement.
A man in a suit and tie speaks at a podium with a microphone.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles as she walks past balloons at a ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with a man in a suit on stage.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with a man in a suit at a ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown receives a diploma from an adult.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown shakes hands with an official on a stage.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown adjusts her hair, with 'Class of 2023' and 'Pioneers' sashes visible.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown receives a diploma from an adult.
Graduates in blue gowns and caps adjust their attire before a ceremony.
Graduates in blue gowns hold diplomas and decorated caps, celebrating their achievement.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a bouquet of balloons, including ones that say 'Celebrate!' and 'Congrats!'.
A group of people, some in graduation attire, gather in a hallway with colorful murals.
A family poses for a photo, with a young child on a man's shoulders and a woman holding a baby.
Two adults and a child stand together outdoors, with one adult holding a blue and white item.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma, flanked by two smiling men in suits.
A young graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles with two men, holding a diploma.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma, flanked by two proud adults.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles, holding a diploma, with two men standing beside her.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma, flanked by two smiling men at a ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown poses with two men in suits at a ceremony.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles, holding a diploma, with two proud adults beside her.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles between two men in suits.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown poses with two smiling men in suits.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles between two men in suits.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma, flanked by two proud adults.
A young man in a blue graduation gown and cap holds a diploma, flanked by two smiling men.
A young woman in a blue graduation gown smiles between two men in suits.
A graduate in a blue cap and gown smiles, holding a diploma, with two men in suits beside her.
A young graduate in a blue cap and gown holds a diploma, flanked by two smiling men.