Photos by Natalie Baron: Members of the Class of 2026 celebrate upon receiving their diplomas. From left include Jada Nickerson, Olivia Peterson and Gabriel Campbell.

By Natalie Baron, Correspondent

ALBION – The school and community celebrated the 115 graduates in Albion’s Class of 2026 on Friday evening. The weather was ideal for the ceremony outside on the football field.

The Caledonian Pipe Band continued their tradition of leading in the junior ushers, daisy chain and graduating seniors.

The speeches were opened by Class President Neveya Barnes. She wanted everyone to remember where they came from as they continue to learn and grow, shaping who they will become.

Senior Class President Neveya Barnes reminded us that our past, which we might perceive as unflattering and emotionally-challenging, shaped us into who we are today. “Deeper than any game, middle school haircut, or even the alphabet is our light.”

She said the Class of 2026 will always have a foundation in, and support from, Albion. “Hold on tight to the memories and friends that you’ve had or have because your support is strong, and continue to grow and encourage yourself to learn more.”

Using the alphabet as her example, she encouraged us to continue discovering more about the world around us, having learned the foundations in school. Barnes will be attending the University at Buffalo to major in psychology.

Salutatorian Nathaniel Miesner smiles. He had some jokes up his sleeve to make his messages stronger. He spoke about working toward aspirations, even when it is difficult.

Class of 2026 Salutatorian Nathaniel Miesner explained, “We have this misconception that failure is exclusively bad.” He discussed how failure allows us to see what went wrong so that we can adjust our methods with newfound insight.

Although the next few years seem inconceivable, the graduates will shape who they will become with each challenge. Perhaps you want to improve yourself in order to work toward a goal. “You could ignore it and focus on other things. The problem is, you might not like who comes out on the other side. The better option, in my opinion, is to take control of your development.”

He reminded the class that they are more capable of pulling themselves out of ruts than they may realize and that he and their peers believe in them in achieving any goal. “The battle will be grueling, and the results, reluctant to show. Do not let that deter you. In the end, that is what makes it worth it.” Miesner will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for mathematics.

Gideon Pask, Valedictorian of the Class of 2026, implored graduates to keep going in the face of loss. You can choose to learn from those who came before you.

Valedictorian Gideon Pask said that no matter how the years in high school went, they shaped every person in the class. Pask expressed that he was scared to speak to people as a freshman, but the support of others changed who he became.

Pask reminds us that we have all experienced loss, whether it be the loss of friends, opportunities, or a life. He shared that this year, he has lost his pastor, teacher, and grandfather, Erik Olsen, the leader of the East Shelby Community Bible Church.

Each loss will create change in one’s life, which will be painful, but there is always a time for each change. “One of the most important lessons a person can learn is that loss, no matter how great a change it may cause, is not the end,” Pask said. It is a chance at a conscious choice to grow, to use that loss’ example as a way to guide us.

Pask said that although there is a loss from graduating, everything is not over. Pask will be attending the Rochester Institute of Technology to major in electrical engineering.

Graduates proudly walk the stage. From left include Colin Coyle, Abigail Kincaid and Zane Kremer.

BOE President Linda Weller told the Class of 2026 to look around themselves and recognize the friends, teachers, and community who have and will continue to cheer them on, as this is their foundation. No matter where they go in the world, the people in the Albion community will be there for them.

“Connection. This is what matters,” Weller said. “In a world that seems to move faster every single day, where everything is a swipe or a scroll away, it can be easy to forget the power of real, lasting human connection, but you, the Class of 2026, know what it means to show up for one another.” She has seen it in the many activities they have partaken in.

Superintendent Mickey Edwards advised the class to focus on their character, as that is most important.

“You can’t always choose the path you walk, but you can always choose the way you walk it,” District Superintendent Mickey Edwards said. “You can choose resilience when things get difficult. You can choose integrity when no one is watching. You can choose kindness when it would be easier not to. You can choose courage when the path ahead feels uncertain. And you can choose to keep moving forward, even when the road feels unclear.” Your impacts on others, values, perseverance, and small choices will always matter more than the path you take.

Several graduates expressed enthusiasm. From left include Rosalie McCormick, Wesley Olles and Kailee Anstey.

The Class of 2026 tossed their caps into the air as one final hoorah at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Public responds after café’s commercial AC/furnace, hot water tank and ice machine all need replacement

Photos by Tom Rivers: Sarah Ferguson, a staff member at Risen Café and pastor of God’s Voice Ministries, adds caramel to a glass of iced coffee today. Ferguson has been with Risen Café since it opened on March 7, 2023 at 469 East State St.

ALBION – The Risen Café has been serving meals and taking prayer requests for more than three years at 469 East State St., the former Crooked Door Tavern.

The café has two paid employees and other volunteers. The site also is used as a  church for God’s Voice Ministries. Risen Café is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The church has services at 11 a.m. on Sunday. (There is also a prayer meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Bible study at 6 p.m. on Thursday and faith-based recovery meeting at 6 p.m. on Sunday.)

Risen Café has been narrowing the gap of covering its costs, and not needing much support from the church, said Sarah Ferguson, pastor of God’s Voice Ministries and also one of the tow employees at the café.

But the café was dealt several blows in the past 30 days when four major pieces of equipment all failed. The air conditioning system, furnace, hot water tank and ice machine all needed replacement at an estimated combined cost of $20,000.

Ferguson shared the news on Facebook four days ago that the Risen Café was in need and detailed the challenges.

By Friday, a donor bought a new ice machine, and another contributor gave $5,000 for a new hot water tank.

Ferguson said about $9,000 is still needed for the combined AC unit/furnace that must be commercial size.

“God is faithful,” she said. “He is using his people. It’s beautiful to witness.”

Risen Café welcomes more assistance for the AC/furnace. People are welcome to stop in and donate. There will be a basket raffle and chicken barbecue from noon until 7 p.m. on July 18 at the café.

John Angelucci holds a chicken salad wrap with French fries. He is the chef at the Risen Café and has been with the café since day 1.

Ferguson said Risen Café has been a successful ministry, welcoming people from all backgrounds and is especially welcoming to people who have been battling addiction.

The café plays contemporary Christian music and no alcohol is served. Many of the local pastors use the site to meet informally with people looking for some spiritual direction.

Ferguson said not everyone feels comfortable going inside a traditional church building. God’s Voice Ministries wants everyone to feel welcome even if they aren’t familiar with hymns, Bible passages and the usual structure of a church service.

Ferguson is a Lyndonville resident. She started attended God’s Voice Ministries church in Lokcport in 2019, and was part of the team establishing the site in Albion at the former Crooked Door Tavern.

“As a ministry this works, and as a business it’s by God’s grace,” Ferguson said about the Risen Café. “This is a place where conversations are more comfortable around grace and recovery.”

The café doesn’t accept tips for the staff. Instead, there is a “Pay it Forward” jar where people can give a tip to go towards meals for others, including unhoused people, and people struggling to make ends meet. Ferguson said about $25,000 has been donated to the Pay It Forward Fund in about three years.

Risen Café also collects donations each month for a different agency or ministry in the community. Customers have given over $20,000 that has been shared with the hands 4 Hope ministry, Care Net, Community Action, Hospice, the Orleans Koinonia Kitchen and other organizations.

One big challenge, she said, is letting the community know about the Risen Café. It is located on a side street by the Brown Street canal bridge that has been closed since July 2012. Ferguson said Risen Café is more than a church and more than a restaurant.

For more information on the café, click here to be directed to its Facebook page.

Instead of accepting tips, the staff at Risen Café direct that money to a “Pay It Forward” jar for meals for unhoused people or others in need.