The 270 Queensbury High School graduates were told to be brave during the 2026 commencement exercises held Friday, June 26 at the Harding Mazzotti arena in Glens Falls.
“Be brave enough to try something new,” said Superintendent of Schools Kyle Gannon. “Be brave enough to fail and begin again. Be brave enough to be kind in a world that often rewards indifference. Be brave enough to stand up for others. Be brave enough to become exactly who you are meant to be.”
His speech was followed by a vocal duet by graduates Delaney Sano and Finley Magee singing a portion of the song “Brave” by Sara Bareilles.
Raphael Angelucci told his classmates to buckle up for the flight ahead.
“Most of us probably don't have the journey ahead fully figured out,” he said. “And honestly, that's okay. Every great flight has an amazing flight crew, and ours has been our parents, our teachers, and the friends sitting around us right now. If you're lost up there, it's okay to ask for directions. That’s not a weakness. That's just good flying. We’ve spent a long time getting to this runway. We’ve all done the work. We all earned this moment.”
Both Angelucci and his classmate Peyton Conway were chosen to speak at graduation through a “speech-off” contest. Conway spoke about stepping into unfamiliar places as they all leave Queensbury High School.
“As we move into the future, we’re going to find new communities, discover new versions of ourselves, and continue growing in ways we can’t even imagine yet,” Conway said. “But one thing is for certain — no matter where life takes us, a part of the people sitting beside us tonight will always remain in our reflection.”
Music teacher Matthew Gaulin, who was chosen to speak by the students, spoke to the students about setting goals.
Whatever your next goal is, make sure you have one,” Gaulin said, “because goals give you direction. They help move you from where you are today to where you want to be tomorrow.”
Queensbury High School Principal Andrew Snide equated the Class of 2026’s journey to the NCAA March Madness Tournament.
“Senior year has been your Final Four,” Snide said. “The stakes became higher. Decisions had to be made. Futures started taking shape. You celebrated victories, experienced setbacks, and learned lessons that couldn't be taught from a textbook.
“And now you're here standing in what feels like the National Championship game,” Snide continued. “But before I go any further, I want to tell you something important. This isn't actually the championship. It's Selection Sunday. Tomorrow, a brand-new bracket begins. And that's exciting, because life isn't about finishing one tournament. It's about having the courage to enter the next one.”