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Family, friends, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the PMHS Class of 2026 at a moving commencement ceremony held on Saturday, June 20 under the tent on Franklin Field. With a flip of a tassel, 209 students became graduates following incredible speeches shared by four of their peers as well as Principal Sean Llewellyn, Dr. Cheryl H. Champ, Superintendent of Schools and Board of Education President Jackie De Angelis. The ceremony also featured the presentation of colors by American Legion Post No. 50 with help from Pelham Middle School students who recreated a revolutionary era color guard, and a beautiful rendition of the National Anthem sung by PMHS senior Joseph Rella, accompanied by the PMHS band.

The W.W. Fairclough Prize was awarded by PTA Council President Kristen Whalen to the three top academic students: Arman Brummett, Emily Walch, and Eloise McGibbon.

Memorial Tablets were presented to Taya Senerchia and Elliott Levine by Dr. Champ.

Mr. Llewellyn noted many of the remarkable accolades accomplished by the Class of 2026, including:

— National Merit Honors: Celebrated 2 National Merit Scholarship finalists and 7 commended students.

— Regeneron Science Talent Search: Recognized 1 student named a Top 300 Scholar in this prestigious national competition.

— Westchester Science & Engineering Fair (WESEF): Achieved 14 student award winners.

— Seal of Civic Readiness: Awarded the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness to 63 students for demonstrating outstanding proficiency in civic knowledge, skills, and engagement.

— Music Excellence: Honored 2 NYSSMA All-State students.

— Performing Arts & Speech: Produced a number of award-winning speakers and actors.

— Publications: Celebrated an award- winning Yearbook staff.

— Individual Honors: Student-athletes earned All-Section, All-Conference, All-League, All-Academic, All-State, and Golden Dozen honors.

— Collegiate Athletics: Secured commitments from at least 8 graduating seniors to compete at the college level across multiple sports (including field hockey, track, soccer, rugby, crew, lacrosse, and football).

— Armed Forces Commitments: 3 students committed to serving in the United States Armed Forces, with appointments/enlistments spanning the U.S. Air Force Academy, the Marines, and the Army.

In his remarks, Mr. Llewellyn spoke about the importance of human interaction in a world increasingly dominated by technology. Centered around the phrase, “the scroll is infinite, our time here is not,” he encouraged students to avoid being consumed by artificial intelligence, but instead use the time saved to find meaningful value in their lives. 

“I’m not worried about them being successful in their careers,” Mr. Llewellyn said about the Class of 2026. “They’ve shown us, over the course of the last four years, that they are bright, capable, and hardworking. I worry more about how they, and all of us really, will deal with a world in which more and more sophisticated digital tools clamor for more and more of our attention, and get better and better at doing so…

“So, seniors, when you finally find yourself with time on your hands, put the phone down. Pick up a pencil, pick up a paintbrush, pick up a hammer and nail. Create something out of nothing. Build something useful. Accomplish something that is real. I see little virtue in the virtual. Give yourself the space to be bored, to daydream. Walk in the woods. Row in the Sound. Pick up an instrument you’ve never played and make some noise. Help your neighbors. Connect with other humans in real time, in real space, and be human together. Have something to show for your time other than a 300 day streak on some app.”

The student speeches, shared by Class of 2026 President Frances Ring, Student Government President Taya Senerchia and fellow students Celeste Kalehoff and Quentin Meyer, offered words of reflection and encouragement as students prepare for their next chapter. 

In her speech titled “Looking Toward Tomorrow,” Senerchia reflected on the Pelham community and the groundwork that it has laid for her and the success of the Class of 2026. 

“Like many of you, I am leaving Pelham next year. But I am not leaving because I was trapped in a life here — rather, I was given the space to mature and prepare to lend myself to a new community, just as Pelham has so kindly lent itself to me,” Senerchia said. “If you found young love here, lifelong friends here, a place that truly feels like home here, know that it doesn’t go away. Use it as a shoulder, your foundation, and your motivation to seek something more, knowing there will always be comfort in what you carry with you.”

Meyer, for his speech, “The Pelican” researched how the PMHS mascot came to be and considered how he and his classmates embodied the traits of a bird not particularly common in our area.  

“Because of our efforts, we grew and extended ourselves beyond what we ever imagined we were capable of,” Meyer said. “That growth has made our ability to thrive and succeed in our future a much more feasible task. You could say that in order to manage the weight, we had to spread our wings further, just as a pelican does.

“Now the ways in which we are pelicans don’t just end there. A unique trait of the pelican is their ability to dive into the ocean from high altitudes, reaching speeds of up to 40 mph before impact. You see, pelicans do not just dip their toe in the water, we dive into unknown depths in search of our prize.”

In her speech “A Case for Public Humiliation,” Ring encouraged the graduates not to be afraid of embarrassment and to find ways to learn from those moments.

“As we discover who we are, we will inevitably face insecurity and uncertainty,” she said. “It can and will feel like everyone else has everything figured out while we are still trying to keep up. But what matters is that we do not allow doubt to define us. Every person here has something meaningful to offer: your talents, your perspective, your voice; I have seen it firsthand. So don’t be afraid to let the world see how remarkable you truly are. Share your talents, lean into your passions, and humiliate yourself from time-to-time. Most importantly, never hide who you are out of fear of embarrassment, because embarrassment will only help you grow and doubt will hold you back. In light of our awkward moments we are resilient, adaptable, and uniquely ourselves.”

“As we discover who we are, we will inevitably face insecurity and uncertainty ,” she said. “It can and will feel like everyone else has everything figured out while we are still trying to keep up. But what matters is that we do not allow doubt to define us. Every person here has something meaningful to offer: your talents, your perspective, your voice; I have seen it firsthand. So don’t be afraid to let the world see how remarkable you truly are. Share your talents, lean into your passions, and humiliate yourself from time-to-time. Most importantly, never hide who you are out of fear of embarrassment, because embarrassment will only help you grow and doubt will hold you back. In light of our awkward moments we are resilient, adaptable, and uniquely ourselves.”

In “Desire Paths,” Kalehoff asked her classmates to reflect on the unique journeys they forged throughout their time in high school.

“For most of our lives, the paths ahead were mapped out for us,” she said. “Elementary school became middle school, middle school became high school. But now, for the first time, many of us are stepping into spaces and stages without a clearly paved route. I invite you all to relish in and take advantage of this uncertainty.

“As we embark on the next chapters of our lives, we must remember this: We all have the power to shape our environments, to create opportunities, and to inspire others to do the same,” Kalehoff said. “I encourage each of you to embrace the unknown, to take those daring actions, and to remember that every path starts with a single step in a different direction. Let us continue to forge our own paths, not just for ourselves, but for the future generations who will walk behind us. Thank you all, and congratulations to the PMHS Class of 2026.”

Board of Education President Jackie De Angelis spoke about her personal relationship with members of the Class of 2026 and their many accomplishments while also encouraging them to continue to push the envelope as they forge their next path forward. 

“The world is big, uncertain, and not as kind as we’d like it to be,” Ms. De Angelis said. “People will tell you no — and it’s not because they know better, it’s because they can’t imagine. My advice: you don’t have to let any of this define what is possible for you.

“There’s a line from ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ that I’d like to share:

‘The place to improve the world is first in one’s own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.’ So as you start with what is within your reach, be brave and unapologetically yourselves. We are so proud of you. On behalf of the entire Pelham Board of Education: congratulations, Class of 2026!”

Before awarding the prestigious Memorial Tablets, Dr. Champ celebrated the exceptional and diverse talents of the Class of 2026, highlighting the graduates’ remarkable achievements across academics, athletics, the arts, and public service. Reflecting on the profound legacy of the student body, she commended the class for cultivating a culture of deep camaraderie and mutual respect, noting how their individual paths—whether leading to collegiate sports, scientific research, or the armed forces—have intricately strengthened the entire district.

“In this class, we have amazing musicians, actors, writers, mathematicians, scientists, linguists, historians, artists, athletes, leaders, and activists,” Dr. Champ said. “Not each of us needs to be everything, but each of us brings something essential to the fabric that is Pelham. One of the things I am most proud of at Pelham Memorial High School is the way students support, encourage, and celebrate one another’s achievements.”