Representatives of 13 Dutchess County school districts gathered at Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls to honor each district’s distinguished graduates at the Dutchess BOCES Distinguished Graduate Recognition Breakfast this month. Each high school recognized two students.
District Superintendent Jodi DeLucia and Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino welcomed guests before everyone enjoyed a hearty buffet breakfast. “Every year, I am humbled to read and learn about our students’ accomplishments and plans for the future,” DeLucia said. “This year is no different. I am so proud of everything that all of these students have accomplished and I know as I watch all of our students grow, our future is bright.”
This year’s keynote speaker L’Quette Taylor, a Poughkeepsie High School graduate and founder and CEO of Community Matters 2 Inc., shared that when he asked his mother for $20 when he was 23, she told him that he had to do something with his life. “My mother cared about me, so she gave me the best advice that she could … understand there are people here today that care about you,” Taylor said. “Every choice that you make matters, actually think about how you’re moving forward and how you’re going to do this.”
Taylor also advised students to be themselves, not to procrastinate and to not let failure hold them back. “Failure is not a threat that you’re going to fail, it’s a gift, it’s a lesson,” Taylor said. “Do not follow the crowd and understand why you’re here … be impactful.”
The June 6 breakfast also served as a showcase of student work with the Spackenkill High School String Ensemble providing music and the Poughkeepsie High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Color Guard presenting the American flag. Floral centerpieces were created by students in the Careers in Plant & Animal Science program at the Career & Technical Institute.
The following students were recognized during the event:
- Arlington High School: Nikki Geiger and Dallas Bascom
- Beacon High School: Anabelle Arginsky and Addison Miller
- Dover High School: Lelanie Perez and Tatum Roidl
- Dutchess BOCES Resilience Academy: Kaychanel Bryan and Kayden Bourke
- Franklin D. Rossevelt High School (Hyde Park): Lizbet Angel-Ojeda and Edgar Quinonez
- Millbrook High School: Amber Concannon and Lisa Cameron
- Pawling High School: Klara Dziurdzinski and Emily Mascia
- Stissing Mountain High School (Pine Plains): Alana Marie Scofield and Madison Rego
- Poughkeepsie High School: Jhanae Stewart and Salome Vergara
- Red Hook High School: Maximus Darling and Danielle Darling
- Rhinebeck High School: Sophie Derman and Laila Valentino
- Spackenkill High School: Jaela Goodman and Ryan Cannella
- John Jay High School (Wappingers Central School District): Charlotte Wang and Emma Mazzotta.
- Orchard View Alternative High School (Wappingers Central School District): Raymond Zheng and Ethan Scavino.
- Roy C. Ketcham High School (Wappingers Central School District): Emily Zhang and Sophie Zhang
- Webutuck High School: Olivia Wickwire and Gissel Oros
BOCES’ Resilience Academy Principal Kiesha Tillman described Bryan and Burke as natural leaders who are insightful, empathic and intelligent. “These two honorees are close to my heart,” Tillman said. “Both Kayden and Kaychanel have overcome a variety of obstacles to be here today.”
Bryan, who applied to three colleges, wants to be an X-ray technician with aspirations of furthering her education to become a social worker. She mentored and welcomed students to the academy, while understanding the importance of being a positive role model.
Bourke, who is working with ACCESS-VR services to explore education training and job opportunities, aspires to produce music, having already uploaded several music videos on YouTube. He has a passion for history and world events and is a kind spirit who is dedicated to his friends and family.
Tillman gave her students this advice. “We charge you today to not give up, to remember that dreams with a spoonful of determination and a sprinkle of faith equals success,” Tillman said. “We look forward to witnessing your greatness unfold in the years to come.”