A Season of Achievement: Cheshire's Class of 2026 Celebrates Graduation
- Richard {Reggie} Smith
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
By Richard "Reggie" Smith Research/Editor Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) 4.0
June is traditionally a season of milestones, and throughout Cheshire the Class of 2026 marked the occasion with celebrations recognizing years of academic achievement, personal growth, and community involvement. From the internationally diverse campus of Cheshire Academy to the hometown traditions of Cheshire High School, more than 400 graduates crossed commencement stages ready to begin the next chapter of their lives.
Although the two schools have distinct histories and missions, both ceremonies reflected a common message: education is about far more than earning a diploma. It is about developing character, embracing challenges, building relationships, and preparing to make meaningful contributions to the world.
Cheshire Academy Celebrates Its 232nd Commencement
Graduation season began on Saturday, June 6, when Cheshire Academy held its 232nd Annual Commencement Exercises on Kevin Slaughter Memorial Field.
Founded in 1794, Cheshire Academy remains one of the oldest boarding schools in the United States. This year's commencement honored 111 seniors and postgraduates representing seven U.S. states and eight countries, highlighting the Academy's increasingly international student body.
Returning to campus as commencement speaker was alumna Dr. Christi Lockwood ('04), now an associate professor at the University of Virginia. Lockwood reflected on her own experiences as a student and encouraged graduates to recognize the importance of community.
"At the time, I didn't realize the power of being part of a community of people who believed in me before I even believed in myself," she told graduates. "That belief was, and is, the foundation of any success I've ever come to realize."
Salutatorian Giselle Clark encouraged classmates to appreciate the quiet moments and relationships that shape life's journey, drawing inspiration from a challenging hike along the Appalachian Trail.
Valedictorian Qianyi "Linda" Li reminded fellow graduates that their worth extends well beyond grades, college acceptances, or résumés.
"We are three-dimensional human beings that can't fit into a two-dimensional résumé," she said. "The things that make you irreplaceable are the things that can't be measured."
Many graduates also completed the Academy's rigorous International Baccalaureate Programme, recognized worldwide for emphasizing inquiry, critical thinking, collaboration, and global awareness.
A New Tradition Takes Root
One of the most memorable moments of the ceremony came near its conclusion.
The Class of 2026 unveiled a large Cheshire Academy-blue boulder placed beside Sevigny Field. Painted with the names of all 111 graduates, the rock establishes a new tradition in which future senior classes will repaint it annually with their own graduating class.
Head of School Tom Woelper described the monument as a symbol of continuity.
"No single coat of paint matters very much," he said. "What matters is the layers—many hands, across many years, agreeing to add to the same thing."
Recognizing Excellence
The Academy also honored numerous students for scholarship, leadership, athletics, and service.
Among the recipients were:
Ryan Smith — Armando Simosa '08 Award
Deanna Dixon — Bevan Loree Dupré '69 Award
Brayden Matthias — Jennifer Hawke-Petit Book Award
Abigail Frempong — Alumni Association Cup Award
Arav "AJ" Chittilappilly — Leah Stancil Award
Dezmin Beaudwin — Barbara Vestergaard Award
Liam Foster — Jeffrey T. Marshall Scholarship Award
Nia Jackson — John J. White Leadership Award
Rory McCormack — Karen J. Smith Scholarship for Scholastic Improvement
Yifan "Fannie" Zhu — Nicholas J. Susla '48 Book Prize
Zhuoran "Cody" Xu — Ralph Morgan Griffiths Award
Giselle Clark — Sheridan Plaque
Jackson Van Ness — Michael A. Vanacore Award
The Academy also presented English teacher Stephen MacDonald with the D. Robert Gardiner Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing outstanding commitment to students and education.
Cheshire High School Honors the Class of 2026
Four days later, on the evening of Wednesday, June 10, Cheshire High School celebrated its commencement on the school's athletic field before thousands of family members, friends, faculty, and community supporters.
The ceremony recognized 291 graduates, while also marking the official final day of the 2025–2026 academic year for Cheshire Public Schools.
Principal Kevin Hanlon welcomed graduates and reflected on their accomplishments throughout their high school careers, encouraging them to embrace the opportunities ahead.
Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Solan congratulated the graduates and praised the resilience, determination, and leadership they demonstrated throughout their years in Cheshire Public Schools.
Academic Leaders
The Class of 2026's highest academic honors were awarded to:
Valedictorian: Suchita Srinivasan
Salutatorian: Bradley Fang
In her address, Srinivasan reflected on the journey shared by her classmates and expressed gratitude to parents, teachers, and mentors whose encouragement helped shape their success.
Fang focused on the uncertainty that often accompanies life's next chapter, encouraging graduates to remain authentic rather than changing themselves to fit expectations.
"If you walk into a room next year and feel like you don't fit in," he told classmates, "never assume you're the problem. Assume the room is too small."
Class President Matthew Elliot also reflected on the friendships, traditions, and shared experiences that united the graduating class over four memorable years.
Scholarships and Awards
Prior to commencement, graduating seniors were recognized during annual awards ceremonies honoring academic excellence, community service, leadership, and future educational pursuits.
Among the scholarships presented through the Cheshire Education Foundation and local organizations were:
Balso Foundation Scholarships awarded to Katherine Huang, Elizabeth Braun, Lily Watson, and Anthony Distante.
Mark S. Jardim Memorial Scholarships presented to Katherine Huang and Anna Pociu.
Don Wailonis Scholarships awarded by the Dodd PTA to Katherine Huang and Aidan McCauley.
Daniel P. Martinook Scholarship awarded to Emily Williams.
Cheshire Education Foundation Scholarship awarded to Alyssa Misiewicz.
Meaghan Welch Memorial Artistic Scholarship presented to Shivaika Kumar.
These scholarships represent the continued investment of local organizations, businesses, and families in the educational futures of Cheshire students.
Two Schools, One Community
Although Cheshire Academy and Cheshire High School differ in size, history, and educational mission, both institutions celebrated many of the same ideals during commencement week.
One prepares students from around the world within a historic independent boarding school environment. The other reflects the strength and traditions of Cheshire's public education system, serving generations of local families.
Both ceremonies emphasized perseverance, compassion, curiosity, and the importance of community.
As graduates leave Cheshire for colleges, military service, careers, apprenticeships, and other opportunities, they carry with them not only academic accomplishments but also the lessons learned through friendships, teachers, mentors, and experiences that shaped their formative years.
For the Town of Cheshire, graduation season is more than an annual ceremony—it is a reminder that each new class represents the future of the community while becoming part of its continuing story.
Congratulations to the Cheshire Academy and Cheshire High School Class of 2026. The entire community wishes these graduates success, happiness, and fulfillment as they begin the next stage of their journeys.
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