Warwick Valley celebrates the Class of 2025 with annual commencement ceremony

Warwick Valley High School graduated 317 students during the Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony, held this morning, Saturday, June 28.

WVHS Principal Georgianna Diopoulos welcomed families and friends, led the Pledge of Allegiance and introduced the Meistersingers’ performance of The Star Spangled Banner before addressing the graduates. 

“To my Class of 2025, today is a day of celebration – a moment where we pause to reflect on all that you have accomplished and look ahead to the journeys that await you. Each of you arrived at this moment after years of dedication, growth, resilience, and yes, possibly a bit of procrastination. Through late nights of studying, early mornings of practice, and countless moments of friendship, you’ve not only earned a diploma, you’ve built a strong foundation for your future,” she said. “You are leaving high school in a world that is dynamic, fast-moving, and full of challenges – but also full of countless possibilities. You’ve shown us that you are ready. You’ve proven that through persistence, creativity, and heart, you can navigate whatever challenges or opportunities that are presented to you.”

Ms. Diopoulos introduced the Class of 2025 salutatorian, Gisela Gujar. Giesla began her address with a powerful but unexpected reference.

“Rather than quote a famous politician or philosopher, I turn to someone whose words stuck with me, J. Cole,” she said. “In his song Love Yourz, he says, ‘There’s no such thing as a life that’s better than yours.’ It's the kind of lyric that might sound simple at first, something you hum along to without thinking twice, but the more I sit with it, the more I realize how much weight it carries, especially in a world that normalizes the constant comparison of ourselves to everyone around us.”

She used the lyric to reflect on the quiet struggles and unseen strength that defined the Class of 2025’s high school experience.

“The nights we stayed up, finishing assignments while juggling family responsibilities. The times we kept showing up even when we felt defeated. The quiet resilience that no award ever recognizes; that's the part of our journey that deserves to be recognized,” she said. “The life we have, however imperfect, is worth appreciating. No college acceptance letter or perfect plan makes our story less real or less valuable. Congratulations to the Class of 2025, may we never forget that a meaningful life isn't something we choose. It's something we create one moment at a time.”

Next, Board of Education President Keith Parsons addressed the students, speaking not just as a Board member, but as a proud parent of a Class of 2025 graduate, Caidyn Parsons.

“Every person here today is immensely proud of you. Each of you took a unique journey to get to this moment. And while there are countless paths that led you to this field today, I think we can all agree on one thing – the days go slow, but the years go by so very fast,” he said. “We’ve watched you take your first steps, get on the bus for your first day of school, face your first real setback and celebrate your first major triumph. One thing that has never been a first for any of us, is just how amazed we are of you and your accomplishments. As you turn the page to this next chapter, know that this is your story to write. Dream big. Work hard. Love deeply. Laugh often. And never lose sight of who you are.”

Evan Grundfast, the Class of 2025 valedictorian, was next to address his peers. He opened with a moment of gratitude and honesty. 

“Striking a balance between what we want to do, what we need to do and what we should do is perhaps the toughest challenge that we are tasked with in our daily lives. And, in my personal experience, there were many days where I failed. I think we can all recall walking into a test that we didn't study for, asking our friends what the test was on right before we took it. And I'm sure we can all agree that there were more than a few sleepless nights spent making up work that we had procrastinated for weeks.”

He reminded his classmates that success isn’t about perfection, it’s about perseverance. 

“Nobody should be expected to be perfect. We are defined not by the mistakes that we make, but how we learn and grow from them. This ceremony is a celebration and a reflection of all that we have achieved and endured throughout our high school careers. It is not the magnum opus of our lives, but a celebration of all that we have accomplished, and equally a celebration of all that is to come,” he said. “So what does that beautiful degree that we'll be handed shortly really mean? It is proof that we have what it takes to do it. It is proof that we have the determination it takes to lead us to triumph in our futures and throughout the rest of our lives.”

Kayla Bele, elected as this year’s senior speaker, offered a heartfelt and inspiring message of encouragement.

“We have created unforgettable memories, forged unbreakable bonds and barely scratched the surface. Today is a day to recognize just how far we have come. Whether you are looking forward to going to college, to traveling, to starting trades, to taking a well-deserved break or auditioning for Broadway,” she said. “I encourage you to rise to these opportunities, but also to live in this moment, no matter the destination. I wish to remind you that regardless of circumstance or whatever, that voice in the back of your head may be saying, you are not alone. The world is so big and your life is only just beginning. Congratulations to the graduates of the Class of 2025.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Leach addressed the class, finding inspiration for his speech to the class after listening to Frank Sinatra’s New York, New York, after a recent New York Yankees victory. He told the students that they’ve already made it here in Warwick.

“You’ve made it here in Warwick — in classrooms filled with discovery, on stages and athletic fields, in studios and labs, in moments of doubt and in milestones of triumph. You’ve overcome setbacks, embraced change, and shown heart, grit, and resilience,” he said. “Because of that, you’re ready to make it anywhere. There’s something uniquely powerful about growing up here — in Warwick, in New York. There’s a rhythm to it, a spirit. You’ve learned how to work hard, how to speak up, how to look out for each other, and how to stand tall when things get tough.”

He told them that those values they have acquired will stay with them wherever their life takes them next: college, career, military service, or any other future path they may take.

Finally, it was time for the students to receive their diplomas. Each graduate had the option to select a faculty member to present it to them, while WVHS guidance counselors Mary Fox, Julie Sekelsky and Ray Mark and Nick DiLeo presented the Class of 2025. This was followed by the official acceptance of the graduates by Dr. Leach.

Thank you to the high school band, under the direction of Megan Shafer, and the Meistersingers, under the direction of Noreen Hanson, for their musical contributions to today’s ceremony.

You can see the entire WVHS Class of 2025 Commencement Ceremony and see photo galleries from before, during, and after the event at:

Diploma photos:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mNaDgpVF3OU2TIk1a5doN-1woXumDxNj?usp=drive_link

Candid photos: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kkVh8lP7DGCqwwzyFSV6MGhMRPMnwH_u?usp=sharing

Video stream:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e59SiCNQps