Riverhead High School celebrated the Class of 2026 Friday evening at McKillop Field, where more than 43 graduates received their diplomas before family, friends, faculty and school district officials.
The ceremony began at 5:30 p.m. with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by the presentation of the colors by a Riverhead High School NJROTC color guard, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Cadet Petty Officer 1st Class Sean Daniell, and “The Star-Spangled Banner,” performed by Olivia Sulzer.
Principal Sean P. O’Hara told the graduates they had made their mark “in the classroom, on the athletic fields, on the stage, through community service, career and technical programs, clubs and activities.” He urged them to trust the foundation they built at Riverhead High School as they move into the next chapter of their lives.
“The road ahead will not always be clearly marked,” O’Hara said. “There will be challenges, setbacks and unexpected opportunities. When those moments come, trust yourselves, trust the foundation you have built here, trust the lessons you have learned, the relationships you have formed and the resilience you have developed.”
Salutatorian Oliver Earl spoke about the power of small acts of goodness and the responsibility of graduates to bring light into a difficult world.
“Maybe it won’t be anyone resting in a high tower or some grand palace who will make the change,” Earl said. “Just maybe it’s right here in Riverhead, because if just a handful of people used to fight hate, violence, racism, with kindness, intelligence, and perseverance, and maybe the change in action begins today.”
Earl challenged classmates to “never stop learning, never stop exploring and never ever stop dreaming.”
Valedictorian Aidan Foss reflected on the speed with which four years of high school passed and the importance of the relationships students built along the way.
“When we started as freshmen, graduation was not even a thought,” Foss said. “It seemed like it would take forever to get to this point. However, now that we’re here, it feels like it was too short.”
Foss said the class had learned resilience through the challenges of high school, from exams and coursework to athletics, music and other activities.
“One of the biggest lessons we could take away from high school is that the people who you choose to surround yourself with will have a significant impact on your success and life as a whole,” Foss said.
The program included remarks by student body government president Eric Gabrielsen Jr. and a class history by Michelle Perez, the Class of 2026 president.
The class gift from the Class of ‘26 was presented to the district by Ella Kaparos, Abigail Maaiki and Adriana Martinez. The class donated, “a mural celebrating some of the greatest moments in Riverhead’s sports history.”
Musical selections were performed by the senior members of the Riverhead High School Chamber Choir and the Riverhead High School Concert and Symphonic Bands.
O’Hara, accompanied by members of the Board of Education and district administration, presented class members with their diplomas and extended congratulations.
“Class of ’26, thank you for the impact you have had on our school community,” O’Hara said. “We are proud of your accomplishments, grateful for the memories you leave behind and excited to see the paths you create for yourselves.”
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Emil Breitenbach Jr.
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