Students Celebrated at Senior Honor Breakfast

POUGHKEEPSIE – Theresa Groucher paused to collect her thoughts. Moments earlier, her daughter, Olivia, was announced as Poughkeepsie High School’s Class of 2024 valedictorian and honored in a room filled with 100 of her classmates and their families.

It was an accomplishment the family knew about in advance, but the gravity of the moment remained.

“It’s an honor. I’m just overwhelmed,” said Theresa Groucher, a teacher herself. “Olivia really put a lot of work into this. She focuses on her studies. Education is important to her. It’s her top priority, she always wants to excel.”

The Poughkeepsie City School District celebrated the accomplishments of its graduating class Wednesday as it held its Senior Honor Breakfast. While Olivia Groucher and Abass Na-aata, the Class of 2024’s salutatorian, took the spotlight, they were far from the only members of the Poughkeepsie community honored. The thirty-three High Honor Roll members who were graduating with a GPA of 90 or above were called to the dais set up in the high school’s cafeteria to stand and be recognized by the room. In all, 101 students were invited to the breakfast as Honor Roll members graduating with a GPA of 80 or above.

The efforts of each family supporting the students were also lauded.

Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, superintendent of schools, thanked the parents and caregivers in welcoming them to the event.

“We recognize that without you, none of this is possible,” he said. “Thank you for supporting your children, thank you for supporting the teachers and staff here at PHS and we thank you for all that you have done to make sure that your children are successful.”

The students and families were provided a full breakfast of eggs, pancakes, sausage, pastry and fruit as they entered the cafeteria. The tables were decorated with balloons and flowers, which the families were able to take home afterward.

“It’s a nice moment,” said Jacquetta Brown. Her daughter, Evelynn Hunter, was among those called to the front as a member of the High Honor Roll. “To see so many students accomplish making the Honor Roll, it’s just a lovely thing.”

Graduating senior Alex Gonzalez said the day gave him “a great sense of community.
“I grew up with almost everyone here,” he said. “To have everyone come out and give us applause, it feels pretty great.”

Olivia Groucher and Na-aata knew in advance their place in the class. Both students’ mothers were gifted flowers and their families were asked to come to the dais to join them. When asked what she would remember about the day, Groucher said, “all of it.” A sophomore a year ago, Groucher reclassified to graduate this year and was not expecting to be top of the class. “It wasn’t really a goal of mine. There’s a lot of smart people in the Class of ’24.”

Saniya Jenkins, ranked third in the class, called the day “a great experience.” When she was called to stand with the rest of the High Honor Roll members, she was just steps away from her brother, Travis, who is ranked eighth. Both are standouts for the Pioneers track and field team.

“It was fun finding out about (being ranked third), and my friends and my family were there cheering us on,” she said. “Everybody that worked hard, it paid off.”

Their father, Travis Jenkins, called it “a blessing” to have two children in the top 10 of their class.

“God has worked with them, us, to be better as the years go on,” he said. “Their journey is not going to stop right now. They’re going to go on.”

The graduating teens were not the only departing members of the school community honored. Officials surprised Administrative Assistant Linda Boothe, who is retiring after more than three decades at the district, with flowers.

“If it wasn’t for Miss Boothe, this event would not happen,” said Joseph Mazzetti, 12th grade assistant principal, who served as emcee. “She tirelessly checks all the names and orders … She made sure the tablecloths and the balloons, all the flowers and corsages were ready for your children. She worked effortlessly. The honors breakfast is all her. Our awards night is Linda Boothe, graduation setup and diplomas is Linda Boothe. Her work is outstanding and we will be lost without her.”

While the morning was about lauding the students’ efforts and impending graduations, Rosser also reminded the room they still have more to accomplish.

“Each of the students seated here today have a wonderful opportunity to take what they learned during their 12 years of schooling to seek and find success once they transition from high school,” he told them. “We expect that you will achieve great success either in college or the career of your choice.”