Albion grads bring joy, big smiles in commencement celebration

New alumni urged to give back to their community, wherever they go in life

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – The Class of 2023 tosses their caps near the end of commencement this evening in the Albion High School gym. About 2,000 people celebrated with the class.

The graduates tossed their caps after moving their tassels from the right side to the left. In this photo Aquil Gaffney and Miranda Gebo are in front among the graduates who flung their caps high in the gym. There are 110 members in the graduating class, the most among the five school districts in Orleans County.

(Left) Chaynia Powell beams walking from the stage with her diploma. (Right) Makiya Jones, who graduated last year with the Class of 2022, lets out a yell for Chaynia Powell when her name was announced.

The soon-to-graduate seniors enter the gym for the start of commencement.

The ceremony was planned to be outdoors on the lawn between the high and middle schools but was moved inside due to the possibility of rain and the dark skies.

Graduation was traditionally in the gym but this was the first time it was there since 2019. In 2020, when schools closed to in-person learning in mid-March due to the Covid pandemic, there wasn’t graduation ceremony as a group. Instead individual graduates were recorded receiving their diplomas.

In 2021 and 2022, the ceremony was moved outside to the high school football field but that field is currently under construction and will have new turf this fall.

Natalie Bertsch walks up to the stage to accept her diploma.

(Left) Michael White gives the photographers a big smile after getting his diploma. (Right) LaShy Wills gets a hug after graduating and walking across the stage.

Some of the graduates include, from left: Pom Seibert, Logan Graham and S’koi Sanders-Smith.

The Caledonia Pipe Band, a mainstay at the Albion commencement, led the graduates in the processional into the gym.

Mickey Edwards, the district superintendent, urged the grads to be people of “unwavering integrity.” He asked them to seek justice over injustice, and compassion over apathy.

“Doing right is not always popular,” Edwards told the group.

He urged them to show kindness to other and to “walk humbly.”

“We are part of something greater than ourselves,” he said. “Threat others with respect and humility.”

Edwards also offered this advice: “May you leave an indelible mark on the world not only through your achievements but how you treat others.”

Wayne Wadhams, president of the Albion Board of Education, told the students he walked across the same stage in the gym 43 years ago. He wasn’t sure what he would do in the future. He wouldn’t have predicted he would become a technology teacher and coach. Wadhams retired in 2017.

“Never sell yourself short and be open to opportunities,” Wadhams told the group. “Make good decisions and the outcome will take care of itself.”

Nick Andrews, the class president, is all smiles after giving his speech. Andrews is headed to Geneseo State College to major in childhood and special education. He told the group “it’s time to go out and spread our eagle wings.”

Andrews said the group shown perseverance, especially after the last three months-plus of their freshman year was spent doing remote learning. They returned to school on a hybrid schedule for their sophomore year with other Covid restrictions, including playing sports with masks on.

“I’m not going to let Covid define who we are,” Andrews said. “I believe we are stronger, more resilient individuals by overcoming these challenges.”

Andrews said the class will always remain connected, and the grads will always be loved no matter where they go or what they do.

(Left) Audrey Pask delivers the valedictory address and (Right) Natalie Baron gives the salutatory speech.

Pask will major in ceramic engineering at Alfred University. She said the educational process isn’t just about gaining knowledge and learning facts. It’s a journey to develop character. She said she is especially for her involvement in the music program, where students can express emotion through music and see their hard work and dedication pay off.

“What I learned in the band room is find your purpose,” she said.

Baron will major in communications at Geneseo State College. She emphasized her message several times: “We rise by lifting others.”

Baron was involved in the school musicals, often playing comic roles, including Pinocchio in Shrek and Grandma in The Addams Family.

Baron admitted she felt nervous sometimes in the shows, but the other cast members were always supportive and cheered each other on.

She said the class has benefitted from a nurturing Albion school family with teachers, coaches and friends showing lots of encouragement. She urged them to take that example into the rest of their lives.

“You should always be rooting for one another’s successes,” Baron said.

Hailey Crawford laughs while standing next to high school band teacher Mike Thaine before she was introduced to walk up and get her diploma.