‘We did it together’: Greenfield High School’s Class of 2026 reflects on bonds that carried them to graduation

GREENFIELD — The 76 newest Greenfield High School graduates were told Saturday to cherish their school memories and use what they’ve learned to face challenges that may lie ahead.

The high school auditorium was filled with proud families, bouquets and well-wishers who cheered as their favorite grads were handed their diplomas, with hugs and handshakes.

Principal Michael Browning remarked, “As students, some have been waiting for [graduation] since the day they got here, and still others are dragging their feet … not sure they are ready to leave their favorite teacher, wondering if their circle of friends will grow, shrink or change.

“Don’t get too concerned about all the unknowns,” he continued. “They will take care of themselves in time. But rather, enjoy the moment you’re in — the little moments, the ‘boring’ moments, for they greatly outnumber the big wins.”

Browning encouraged the grads to “embrace and learn from the struggles, as they test our integrity and character, and challenge us to go deeper.”

“When you consider your story, remember this: You are the author,” he added. “And while you can’t always decide what the next chapter will be, you do decide how you will navigate it; so having grace with others and some mercy for yourself, get after it.”

“Your path to this stage this morning is quite different from that of those who surround you today,” said interim Superintendent Roland Joyal Jr. “Many of you have faced situations that several of your classmates would never understand. But in the end, you have been able to meet your challenges and achieve.”

Graduation, Joyal noted, is no small accomplishment.

“You have achieved success and will go on to do great things because you’ve decided not only to meet adversity head-on, but also beat it,” he stated. “Some of the happiest people in life are the ones that have been through the most.

 “You’re the one in control of your future,” he continued. “You will decide what you make of your life in how you choose to respond to the situation presented. You will determine what kind of person you will become. I hope you will continue to handle these situations with the poise and maturity that have gotten you to the point where you are today.”

Before congratulating the Class of 2026 and wishing them luck in their future endeavors, Joyal provided a note of advice: “You cannot direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails and determine who is in the boat with you.”

Class Vice President Auburn Mass said there were times when the class felt things were falling apart between the stress, late-night rehearsals, last-minute deadlines and disagreements.

“And yet somehow, we kept going, kept pushing forward. It wasn’t always smooth, we didn’t always get along … but somewhere along the way, something changed. … We slowly became more than just classmates,” Mass continued. “We became a community. Not all at once, certainly not perfectly, but genuinely. We learned how to support one another, how to celebrate each other’s successes and how to stand beside each other in the hard moments.”

The graduates didn’t just survive high school, Mass said; they “made something meaningful of it.”

“And now, as you step into whatever comes next … I hope you don’t forget what we’ve got here. … Everyone here is part of your story. They change you in ways you may not even realize yet,” Mass advised. “The friendships, the lessons, the conversations in the hallways, the people who pushed you, the people who believed in you or simply stood beside you when you needed someone. Those things matter. … Congratulations Class of 2026. You didn’t do it alone. We did it together.”

Graduates

Savannah Brooks Aldrich, Holly Elizabeth Babineau, Julia Kate Belville, Logan Michael Bieniek, Ash Kathleen Bigelow, McKenzie Marie Boswell, Samantha J. Bourgeois, Dylan J. Breiwick, Mashaud Jaediv Raymond Carter, Jonah Thomas Cavanaugh, Elderina Cecunjanin, Giomaris Collado Bonilla, Meghan Patricia Collins, Kaden Michael Collis, Adela Cotet, Noah G. Cussick, Samuel Darii, Timothy G. Derivolkov, Taj B. Diaby, Ben Duong, Mako Nicole Durand, Samuel E. Eckstrom, Arthur Edward Fitzpatrick, Evelyn Lorelei Flynn, Alice Louise Fortin, Shaylenne E. France, Wyatt Joseph Gilcreast, Henley Annette Gilstrap, Liam S. Grahame-Lawson, Emelia Lauren Gray, Luanna Gray, Hugo Joseph Cavanaugh Gualberto, Harmony Ann-Marie Heath, Shaun M. Jefferson, Ezeekiel Everett Jimenez, Jackson Charles Killeen, David R. Knox, Kristina Kostov, Jack Richard Laurie, Julius Scott Lawlor, Victoria Lyvytsky, Auburn R. Mass, Jacob Alexander Maynard, Julius Maysonet, Gloria Emily McDonald, Malik J. Moore, Kanza Nasrullah Butt, Mark Lee Nero, Zachary Alan Edward Ozdarski, Wednesday Apollonia Passiglia, Suhani Patel, Ryan W. Pedigree, Jennifer Petcu, Angel Miguel Politis, Juliette Valentine Potee, Jacob Silas Purinton, Ivy Brooke Rae, Phillip Joel Ragland, Isabella Mae Raymond, April Ann Rooney Adams, Sophia G. Rotkiewicz, Alex Hunter Scotera, Luca Vincent Siano, Connor William Stanislawski, Nina Paloma St. Clair, Winter Star Sullivan, Justice Elijah Tanzer, Camden Cullen Toponce, Andres Mauricio Tovar, Jaelyn Star Townes, Cheryl Lynn Turner, Jasper Vazquez, Dylan Michael Williams, Javion J. Williams, Shani Elyse Wolfe, Nathaniel Columbus Woodard and Mason James Youmell.

Awards

Highest Honors: Holly Babineau, Julia Belville, Timothy Derivolkov, Evelyn Flynn,
Liam Grahame-Lawson, Luanna Gray, Hugo Gualberto, Kristina Kostov, Auburn Mass,
Ryan Pedigree, Ivy Rae, Sophia Rotkiewicz, Alex Scotera and Nina St. Clair.

Higher Honors: Jonah Cavanaugh, Meghan Collins and Wednesday Passiglia.

Honors: Dylan Breiwick, Ben Duong, Samuel Eckstrom, Arthur Fitzpatrick, Alice Fortin,
Emelia Gray, Jack Laurie, Gloria McDonald, Kanza Nasrullah, Suhani Patel, April Rooney
Adams, Luca Siano, Javion Williams and Mason Youmell.

Principal’s Service Award: Mason Youmell.

Frederick W. Porter Memorial Awards: Holly Babineau and Dylan Breiwick.