Poughkeepsie H.S. Holds its 150th Commencement

By Jennifer L. Warren

POUGHKEEPSIE – Liquette Taylor didn’t have a prepared speech for his Keynote Address; after all, life had provided all the pivotal, raw, potent material he needed to relay to the Poughkeepsie High School (PHS) Class of 2022.

“I look out to this class and I see one that really adapted, and I expect you to do the same the rest of your lives because life has changes, and you need to be ready for that,” stressed Taylor, a 2006 PHS graduate. “Go hard at everything; exhaust every resource you have, because that life is going to hit you hard, and your journey is an inspiration to others, so I encourage you to really believe in yourselves no matter what.”

Taylor’s wisdom was mined first-hand: After having to stay an extra year of high school before graduating and then having no job or prospects after high school, he had a son who he soon lost the right to see after a partying lifestyle landed him in jail. At an all-time low, Taylor had an epiphany realizing he had to take control of his life. Now the CEO-Founder of the local grassroots non-profit organization, Community Matters 2 Inc. in Poughkeepsie, Taylor has found his passion and purpose, while giving back to his community. His still-evolving journey is laden with lessons he was eager to relay.

“After everything that happened, I envisioned myself up here speaking to you all,” said Taylor, who has earned several community honors over the course of his career. “Just never, ever give up whatever you go through in life.”

About 180 graduates listened intently to Taylor’s messages, soaking in the lessons, as they prepared to embark on the next chapter of their lives. With the sun beating down on a gorgeous summer evening, the Poughkeepsie High School Football Field was abuzz with excitement. Whether they were going on to the military, directly into the workforce or on to the collegiate ranks, each graduate carried the special distinction of having carved out critical perseverance and integral flexibility dealing with a Pandemic for two years of their high school journeys; the experience only made the moment on the football field even sweeter.

“One thing I have really learned is that time stops for nobody; these moments will never last, and time will continue to move on,” said Valedictorian, Elijah Johnson. “Moments will pass, so it is important to keep them in remembrance; this is the next chapter of our lives, but it doesn’t mean we should burn the other ones.” Johnson, who will be attending MIT on a scholarship in the fall added, “Keep your friends close, and don’t let them go; look forward and look back, because your experience generates your future, and it’s these experiences that are your future.”

Those special Pioneer memories with the Class of 2022 are something that Principal, Kelleyann Royce- Giron has forever sealed in her heart. Reflecting upon her return to her alma mater in 2020 when this class was sophomores, Royce-Giron spoke about the unexpected curveballs the Pandemic placed in both her and the paths of her charges. There was no game plan, no rule book for the completely new reality, but there was strength, dedication, belief and community….things- along with the Class of 2022- she will never, ever forget.

“You are amazing,” affirmed a teary-eyed Royce-Giron as she addressed the graduates. “What I’m so proud of is how much each of you has faced the adversity and overcome.” Continuing, as she got more emotional, Royce-Giron added, “As a Pioneer, we have changed the narrative here; this class is truly the Post-Covid Class, and it’s something you should all talk about and be proud of.”