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Red Hook High School

A Welcoming and Diverse Community of Learners

Commencement 2026

Commencement 2026

Stacks of red-covered books, tied with red and white ribbons, are displayed on a red tablecloth.
Graduates in red gowns and caps are gathered, with one cap decorated 'Off to Smith! '28'.
Graduates in red gowns and caps chat excitedly before a ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns and caps exchange medals and cords.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps pose for a photo.
A group of musicians plays brass instruments outdoors, with a conductor gesturing.
Graduates in red gowns and caps walk out of a building, some smiling.
Graduates in red caps and gowns walk out of a building.
Two graduates in red gowns and caps walk forward, with others behind them.
Graduates in red caps and gowns walk in a procession outdoors.
Graduates in red caps and gowns walk in a procession outdoors.
Graduates in red gowns and caps stand together outdoors, anticipating a ceremony.
Graduates in red caps and gowns smile, anticipating their commencement ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns line up outdoors for a commencement ceremony, with a speaker at a podium.
Graduates in red gowns and caps walk down a path lined with spectators holding phones and cameras.
A man in a suit and tie speaks at a podium with a "We Are Raiders" banner behind him.
A young woman in a red graduation gown and cap speaks at a podium outdoors.
A group of graduates in red caps and gowns stand with hands over their hearts.
A group of students in red graduation gowns and caps sing from open books on steps.
Graduates in red gowns gather in front of Red Hook Central School for a ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns and caps, some decorated, are gathered for a ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns wear decorated caps, one featuring 'CLASS OF 2026' and floral accents.
A graduate's cap decorated with the text 'If its meant to be it will be 2026'.
Graduates in red gowns and caps sing from sheet music at an outdoor ceremony.
A woman in a floral dress speaks at a podium with "WE ARE RAIDERS" text.
Graduates in red caps and gowns sit attentively at an outdoor ceremony.
A young woman in a red graduation gown and cap looks to the side at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red caps and gowns smile and chat at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red caps and gowns stand together at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red caps and gowns sit in an outdoor ceremony, looking towards the front.
Graduates in red caps and gowns stand together at an outdoor ceremony.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium with 'WE ARE RAIDERS' and school district information.
Graduates in red caps and gowns sit facing a stage with speakers and a flag.
A graduation ceremony takes place outdoors in front of the Red Hook Central School building.
A young man in a red graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium with a microphone.
A woman in a floral dress speaks at a podium with a microphone, addressing an audience.
A graduation ceremony takes place on the lawn in front of Red Hook Central School.
A young woman in a red graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium with a microphone.
Graduates in red caps and gowns clap during a commencement ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown speaks at a podium during an outdoor ceremony.
A woman speaks at a podium with "WE ARE RAIDERS" displayed, while a man stands beside her.
A young woman in a red graduation gown smiles as she walks past an audience.
A graduate in a red cap and gown embraces a woman holding a red folder.
A young person in a red graduation cap and gown walks past an audience.
A graduate in a red cap and gown hugs an adult, holding a red diploma cover.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an adult at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns and caps smile at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from a man in a suit at a Red Hook ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an adult at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduation ceremony with students in red caps and gowns receiving awards.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma at a commencement ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an attendee, holding a diploma.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an adult at a Red Hook ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from a man in a suit and tie.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an official at an outdoor ceremony.
A young person with bright blue hair walks forward in a red graduation gown and cap.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from an older woman.
A smiling graduate in a red cap and gown walks down stairs, holding a diploma.
A graduate in a red cap and gown smiles as they walk past an audience at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma, interacting with a young boy.
A graduate in a red cap and gown embraces a woman holding a diploma.
A graduate in a red cap and gown embraces a friend at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma outdoors.
A group of graduates in red caps and gowns sit together at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns and caps sit together, anticipating a ceremony.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps sit together outdoors, some holding diplomas.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma outdoors.
A group of graduates in red caps and gowns sit together outdoors for a ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives congratulations at a ceremony.
A young man in a red graduation cap and gown smiles at the camera.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with a woman at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from a woman in a floral dress.
A graduate in a red cap and gown embraces a loved one at an outdoor ceremony.
Two graduates in red caps and gowns embrace joyfully outdoors.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma while posing for a photo at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns toss their caps in the air during an outdoor ceremony.
A large crowd gathers outdoors in front of a brick building with a white clock tower, many wearing red.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds diplomas while standing with family outdoors.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma, posing with a friend outdoors.
Two graduates in red gowns and caps smile, holding diplomas at an outdoor ceremony.
A group of people in colorful clothing are gathered together, some embracing.
A group of people gather outdoors, with some posing for a photo.
Two graduates in red gowns hug and smile, holding a diploma.
Two young people in red graduation gowns converse outdoors, surrounded by a crowd.
Two individuals in red robes stand facing away from the camera, with a blurred crowd in the background.
Graduates in red gowns and caps gather together, some with arms around each other.
Two young women in graduation gowns and caps walk outdoors, smiling.
Graduates in red caps and gowns receive diplomas at an outdoor ceremony.
A young woman in a red graduation gown reads from a document.
Several people in graduation gowns stand together outdoors, some holding their caps.
Stacks of red-covered books, tied with red and white ribbons, are displayed on a red tablecloth.
Graduates in red gowns and caps are gathered, with one cap decorated 'Off to Smith! '28'.
Graduates in red gowns and caps chat excitedly before a ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns and caps exchange medals and cords.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps pose for a photo.
A group of musicians plays brass instruments outdoors, with a conductor gesturing.
Graduates in red gowns and caps walk out of a building, some smiling.
Graduates in red caps and gowns walk out of a building.
Two graduates in red gowns and caps walk forward, with others behind them.
Graduates in red caps and gowns walk in a procession outdoors.
Graduates in red caps and gowns walk in a procession outdoors.
Graduates in red gowns and caps stand together outdoors, anticipating a ceremony.
Graduates in red caps and gowns smile, anticipating their commencement ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns line up outdoors for a commencement ceremony, with a speaker at a podium.
Graduates in red gowns and caps walk down a path lined with spectators holding phones and cameras.
A man in a suit and tie speaks at a podium with a "We Are Raiders" banner behind him.
A young woman in a red graduation gown and cap speaks at a podium outdoors.
A group of graduates in red caps and gowns stand with hands over their hearts.
A group of students in red graduation gowns and caps sing from open books on steps.
Graduates in red gowns gather in front of Red Hook Central School for a ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns and caps, some decorated, are gathered for a ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns wear decorated caps, one featuring 'CLASS OF 2026' and floral accents.
A graduate's cap decorated with the text 'If its meant to be it will be 2026'.
Graduates in red gowns and caps sing from sheet music at an outdoor ceremony.
A woman in a floral dress speaks at a podium with "WE ARE RAIDERS" text.
Graduates in red caps and gowns sit attentively at an outdoor ceremony.
A young woman in a red graduation gown and cap looks to the side at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red caps and gowns smile and chat at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red caps and gowns stand together at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red caps and gowns sit in an outdoor ceremony, looking towards the front.
Graduates in red caps and gowns stand together at an outdoor ceremony.
A man in a suit speaks at a podium with 'WE ARE RAIDERS' and school district information.
Graduates in red caps and gowns sit facing a stage with speakers and a flag.
A graduation ceremony takes place outdoors in front of the Red Hook Central School building.
A young man in a red graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium with a microphone.
A woman in a floral dress speaks at a podium with a microphone, addressing an audience.
A graduation ceremony takes place on the lawn in front of Red Hook Central School.
A young woman in a red graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium with a microphone.
Graduates in red caps and gowns clap during a commencement ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown speaks at a podium during an outdoor ceremony.
A woman speaks at a podium with "WE ARE RAIDERS" displayed, while a man stands beside her.
A young woman in a red graduation gown smiles as she walks past an audience.
A graduate in a red cap and gown embraces a woman holding a red folder.
A young person in a red graduation cap and gown walks past an audience.
A graduate in a red cap and gown hugs an adult, holding a red diploma cover.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an adult at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns and caps smile at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from a man in a suit at a Red Hook ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an adult at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduation ceremony with students in red caps and gowns receiving awards.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma at a commencement ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an attendee, holding a diploma.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an adult at a Red Hook ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from a man in a suit and tie.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an official at an outdoor ceremony.
A young person with bright blue hair walks forward in a red graduation gown and cap.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from an older woman.
A smiling graduate in a red cap and gown walks down stairs, holding a diploma.
A graduate in a red cap and gown smiles as they walk past an audience at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma, interacting with a young boy.
A graduate in a red cap and gown embraces a woman holding a diploma.
A graduate in a red cap and gown embraces a friend at a graduation ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma outdoors.
A group of graduates in red caps and gowns sit together at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns and caps sit together, anticipating a ceremony.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps sit together outdoors, some holding diplomas.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma outdoors.
A group of graduates in red caps and gowns sit together outdoors for a ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives congratulations at a ceremony.
A young man in a red graduation cap and gown smiles at the camera.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with a woman at an outdoor ceremony.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from a woman in a floral dress.
A graduate in a red cap and gown embraces a loved one at an outdoor ceremony.
Two graduates in red caps and gowns embrace joyfully outdoors.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma while posing for a photo at an outdoor ceremony.
Graduates in red gowns toss their caps in the air during an outdoor ceremony.
A large crowd gathers outdoors in front of a brick building with a white clock tower, many wearing red.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds diplomas while standing with family outdoors.
A graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma, posing with a friend outdoors.
Two graduates in red gowns and caps smile, holding diplomas at an outdoor ceremony.
A group of people in colorful clothing are gathered together, some embracing.
A group of people gather outdoors, with some posing for a photo.
Two graduates in red gowns hug and smile, holding a diploma.
Two young people in red graduation gowns converse outdoors, surrounded by a crowd.
Two individuals in red robes stand facing away from the camera, with a blurred crowd in the background.
Graduates in red gowns and caps gather together, some with arms around each other.
Two young women in graduation gowns and caps walk outdoors, smiling.
Graduates in red caps and gowns receive diplomas at an outdoor ceremony.
A young woman in a red graduation gown reads from a document.
Several people in graduation gowns stand together outdoors, some holding their caps.

Persevering 'not alone, but together,' Class of 2026 celebrates graduation with resiliency, support

Graduates in red gowns line up outdoors for a ceremony, with a speaker at a podium.Even before the first cap-and-gowned figure walked across the lawn at Linden Avenue Middle School Saturday morning, the Class of 2026 listened to a speaker remind them graduation does not mean goodbye.

As the more than 130 impending Red Hook High School graduates prepared within LAMS’ cafetorium, Heather Paschal took the stage and took on the role of a coach giving a pregame talk on par with anything Hollywood has written.

“We’re your family. The high school, the district, Mill Road, LAMS – we don’t want you to be strangers later on in life,” said Paschal, the district clerk and, up until this year, confidential secretary to the high school principal, who also happens to be mother to a member of the Class of 2026. “We’ve loved you for the 13 years that you were here – some of you longer, from birth. All these years, we’ve been part of your journey. We want to continue to be part of your journey.

“There’s so much love and support for you guys out there on the lawn for you right now,” she told them.

The Red Hook High School Class of 2026 felt that support one more time Saturday morning during a commencement ceremony that featured stirring speeches, student musical performances and countless cheers, shouts and ovations.

Two smiling graduates in red gowns and caps hold their diplomas at an outdoor ceremony.Many of the remarks focused on the themes and resilience and Red Hook community togetherness, two areas that have never been more evident than in the past month since a fire forced a premature closure of the high school building for the 2025-26 school year.

With numerous community organizations and groups assisting in various ways, the school’s students made the most of two-plus weeks of remote learning, while still enjoying year-end festivities like the Senior Walk Through and barbecue, prom and several field trips. Having navigated the COVID-induced stretch of virtual instruction six years ago, the seniors attacked the challenge of this past month with positivity, flexibility and tenacity.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Janet Warden emphasized how resilience will serve the students as they move forward into adulthood.

“Life will not always unfold the way you plan. There will be moments you didn’t choose, you didn’t cause and couldn’t control – moments that interrupt, redirect and challenge you in ways you never asked for,” she said. “And still, every single one of you persevered – not alone, but together – leaning on each other, finding strength in one-another when things felt uncertain and carrying each other forward in ways you may not have fully realized at the time. And, you saw our community come together.”

A young man in a red graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium with a microphone.Both Valedictorian Eleanor Solomon and Salutatorian Danny Cashen spoke about what it means to be part of the Red Hook community.

Cashen discussed his own educational journey, which began in homeschooling and continued in a small private school in Massachusetts before he found his way to Red Hook High School as a freshman.

“Something was still missing for me,” he said of the private school experience, before sharing stories in which staff members at the high school came to his aid over the past four years.  “I soon realized that Red Hook, my peers in the Class of 2026 and the teachers here were special in their own ways.”

Solomon referenced the division that is evident in modern society, in which people of differing ideologies increasingly bristle at the thought of communicating with each other.

“Regardless, in Red Hook, we know that we can go borrow a cup of sugar from our neighbors, no matter what,” she said. “Growing up in this small town has given us an ability to exist with people different from us; an ability to enjoy spending time with people different from us; and, above all, an ability to recognize our shared humanity.”

Nora Callaghan-Jurgens opened the ceremony by singing the national anthem, before taking part in the 2026 Graduation Choir, which chose to perform “Rainbow Connection.” Later, the Choir returned to LAMS’ front steps for the traditional performance of “Alma Mater.” The Red Hook High School Brass Quintet supported the ceremony with processional and recessional music.

Graduates in red gowns embrace during a sunny outdoor ceremony.In addition to celebration graduation itself, the ceremony also included moments of recognition for other accomplishments. Maddie Clements was recognized not only as a member of the class intending on joining the military next, but also in the four other categories specially mentioned – those earning a full IB diploma, members of the National Honor Society, those who have earned the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness and those who earned the state Seal of Biliteracy.

In all, 34 students earned a full IB diploma, a high mark for the school’s IB program, and 17 earned all four distinctions.

In his remarks, though, Principal Dr. Kyle Roddey focused on the various intangible contributions the class has made.

“You have demonstrated kindness, resilience and character. You have welcomed others, supported one another and approached challenges with determination,” he said. “You have pursued your goals with purpose while helping to make Red Hook High School a stronger, more connected and more vibrant place.”

And, just as Paschal told them before marching through LAMS’ lawn donning the traditional red cap-and-gown, Class President Quinn Boyd reminded his classmates Saturday was not an ending.

“To use one of those fancy IB English words – the prologue – you see, we have just written the first written the prologue to our story, and now it’s time to write the first chapter,” he said. “And, looking around here today, I see a lot of great authors.”

Graduates in red gowns toss their caps in the air during an outdoor ceremony.