Holley grads urged to maintain human connections in tech age

72 in Class of 2026 celebrate commencement

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Confetti falls on the Class of 2026 during the end of the commencement ceremony on Saturday inside the Holley Junior-Senior Auditorium.

Holley graduated 72 students on Saturday.

Middle/High School Principal Matt Feldman commended the graduates on earning their high school diplomas.

He said they should continue to heed his advice of putting their cell phones away as much as possible so they don’t meet true human experiences. School districts throughout the state implemented a cell phone ban during school hours this past year, although Holley limited cell phone use before that.

“I want for you a deeper human connection,” Feldman told the grads. “I want you to feel admiration not envy.”

This grad walks into the auditorium to join her classmates on stage. Her cap included the message: “Did Everyone See That Because I Will Not Be Doing It Again!”

Feldman, the high school principal, said the strongest memories don’t come through Instagram, Snapchat or other social media platforms.

He shared about students doing karaoke on the last day of school, and students who had a pool party in the school parking lot at 6:45 a.m. before school, an experience that included cows in a pen.

“Put your cellphone in the locker because you have so much to offer others,” he said.

Kohle Pachla walks across the stage after his salutatory address. Pachla said it was an honor to be salutatorian in the class. He is headed to Alfred University to major in ceramic & mechanical engineering.

“We finally get the chance to experience life beyond these walls,” he said. “Keep one question in mind: Is this what I want to do?”

Mia Thom is recognized with a scholarship during commencement. Thom is the class valedictorian. She is graduating a year early. She will attend Rochester Institute of Technology to major in diagnostic medical sonography.

She opted not to give the valedictory address because she jumped a grade. She “donated” the speech to Jax Richards-Dyson, who ranked third in the class.

Jax Richards-Dyson gave the greeting as the class president and then gave a speech in lieu of the valedictory address. Behind him are Principal Matt Feldman and District Superintendent Karri Schiavone. Richards-Dyson is headed to the University of Rochester to major in biology.

He shared some humorous commentary about going five years in school with cell phones being banned at different grade levels and then state-wide in school buildings. He shared about the “chaos of Covid” when students were forced to do online learning and often were forced out of school if they were possibly exposed to Covid if a classmate tested positive for the virus.

“Class of 2026 we haven’t had a fair or normal educational experience,” Richards-Dyson said.

But he shared advice from John F. Kennedy: “Change is the law of life.”

Richards-Dyson also echoed the message of putting your cell phone away and talking to people, even a stranger sitting next to you on an airplane.

He said listening and learning from others is a powerful antidote against hate.

Hunter Pachla and Layla Jones, the class co-treasurers announced the class gift. The Class of 2026 is donating $1,800 to Operation Caring Hearts, which provides essential supplies, tents, and meals to the homeless people and veterans in the Rochester area.

Skylar Gallagher is recognized for receiving a scholarship in memory of Richard Martin and Maynard Martin, given to a senior who makes the greatest contribution during four years at Holley Senior High School.

Brody Fiorito received the scholarship in memory of David Ruggles, given the senior who displays outstanding qualities of friendliness and compassion.

Leonidas Lucian Ladd receives a scholarship given by retired principal Susan Cory “to the senior who values education but more importantly, values people and treats everyone well.”

Spanish teacher Jane DelGudico was picked by the Class of 2026 to give the commencement address.

DelGudico has worked at Holley since 2017. She congratulated the grads but told them commencement is just the beginning.

“You have to keep pushing yourself to reach your goals,” she said.

She urged them to choose healthy habits of exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep and maintaining their relationships with their classmates.

“Call your mom, visit your grandparents and stay in touch with your friends from Holley,” DelGudico said.

She advised to spend less time on their phones and more time talking directly to other people.

“Maybe you’ll make a friend,” she said. “Maybe you’ll fall in love.”

She urged them to save money and push themselves to excel in their jobs.

“The world needs more hard workers,” she said. “You will stand out and it will be worth it. Push yourself to go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.”

Jayda Shampine is congratulated for earning her diploma. She goes through a line of Board of Education members including Cecelia Pacheco Stevens, back center, and Jennifer Reisman, right.

Anthony Feliciano poses for a photo with Stephanie Sanchez, director of Special Programs for the school district.

Alexis Van Ameron was given her diploma by her mother Tracy, who is a member of the Board of Education.

The students move their tassels to signify their graduation.

The graduates met on the football field after commencement to toss their graduation caps. The scoreboard was displayed at “2026” for the Class of 2026.