John Jay High School sends off Class of 2026

By LOGAN KREISBERG

Family members, friends and faculty gathered in the tented Venetian Theater at Caramoor on Tuesday to celebrate the 220 graduates of John Jay High School’s Class of 2026. 

“Today, we celebrate not only the diplomas but the remarkable achievements and character that define our graduating class,” Principal Steven Siciliano said. He set the tone for a ceremony honoring the Class of 2026’s academic, athletic, artistic and civic achievements, while also reflecting on the experiences that define the milestone of graduation. 

Andrew Yoon Jr. gives a wave to the crowd as he receives his diploma. JIM MACLEAN PHOTO

“But your accomplishments extend beyond academics and awards. This class has shown extraordinary kindness, uplifting one another and fostering a positive climate and culture within our school,” Siciliano said. “To the best of our ability, we tried to have something for everyone as this class took to heart our district pillar of belonging.”

A theme of the ceremony was the representation of the John Jay community as a circle. From the class’s addition to the charm collection dangling from the Key of Knowledge, to the focus of the senior class address delivered by Sophia Wilder, the symbol served as a reminder of the connection between students, faculty and alumni.

The ceremony exhibited many traditions that have become part of the John Jay experience. Graduates wore caps and gowns that matched the school’s signature colors, with boys in purple and girls in white. A cappella groups the Noteables and the Treblemakers provided musical performances during the ceremony. References to the school’s frequently closed bathrooms in multiple speeches drew laughter from both students and faculty. 

The importance of these shared traditions and experiences extended into Salutatorian Casey Leff’s speech, as she reflected on the aspects of high school that would remain meaningful. 

“Years from now, we won’t remember every grade we received, every homework assignment we may or may not have completed, or every college essay we drafted over and over in search of perfection,” said Leff, who will attend UCLA in the fall. “Instead, we’ll remember the memories and moments that made John Jay feel like home, like pep rallies and Jay Fest, community circles, and those insanely good chocolate chip cookies from the cafeteria.”

Ariana Dufane celebrates receiving her diploma. JIM MACLEAN PHOTO

Valedictorian Hellen Dollar encouraged graduates to carry the perspectives and relationships they developed at John Jay into the next chapter of their lives. “Our class has always been told that we’re the future generation of change makers — the ones to solve the many, many problems our world is currently facing,” said Dollar, who heads to Dartmouth College. “We’ve hated the weight of this responsibility, but we can begin by being open to different perspectives and meeting people who make you think critically about yourself and the world around you.”

Katonah-Lewisboro Superintendent of Schools Raymond Blanch certified the diplomas for the Class of 2026. Each graduate then crossed the stage to receive their certificates, which exposed the decorated caps of many of the graduates, bedazzled with the names and logos of their future colleges. Once diplomas were conferred, the graduates returned to the stage to move their tassels from right to left and throw their caps in the air. 

Earlier in the ceremony, Earth science and physics teacher James Panzer told graduates that they had reached a point where they could now help “raise the village” that helped raise them. “Congratulations to the village, and congratulations to every senior on this stage that continues to raise it,” Panzer said. 

Logan Kreisberg, Harvey School Class of 2026, is a summer intern at The Recorder.