Poughkeepsie Celebrates Seniors at Breakfast

POUGHKEEPSIE – Wearing an impossibly wide smile, Carole Myers wrapped her daughter up in a hug. Jhanae Stewart smiled, too, though tears welled in her eyes as they embraced.
Stewart on Wednesday morning was officially announced as the Poughkeepsie High School Class of 2025 valedictorian as the school celebrated nearly 100 students at its annual Senior Honor Breakfast.

“I was shaking so much and my heart was beating,” Stewart said. “I felt really accomplished. All four years, the hardships, trials, I felt like it all paid off.”

While school and district leaders speaking Wednesday returned to the idea of overcoming challenges often, both Stewart and salutatorian Salome Vergara embody the concept.

Stewart, a native of Jamaica, moved to Poughkeepsie around four years ago. Vergara and her family moved from Columbia around the same time; she started her freshman year as an English as a New Language student but was taking honors and AP classes by her sophomore year.

“I feel like it’s a great achievement for me,” Vergara said of earning salutatorian. “I grew up in another country. I didn’t know anything about how the school worked.”

In all, 98 students who are on track to finish high school with a cumulative average of 80 or better and their families were invited to the breakfast, held at the school’s newly renovated cafeteria. That includes 27 who have an average of 90 or better.

Each received a packet upon arrival that included information on scholarship opportunities, including at least 15 specific to Poughkeepsie students, and a list of deadlines to hit for scholarships and other end-of-year necessities.

The event began with a hot breakfast that included eggs, sausage, bacon, hash browns, pancakes, muffins, bagels and other items, before members of the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps presented the colors for the Pledge of Allegiance and performed the national anthem.

Grade 12 Assistant Principal Joseph Mazzetti said the day was “about celebrating perseverance and excellence” in welcoming the families and serving as emcee.

“This is about more than just grades,” he said. “Their achievements represent late nights of study, moments of self-doubt that were overcome, and the courage to keep pushing forward, even when life threw obstacles in their way.”

Greg Mott, the assistant superintendent for elementary education, who is slated to become interim superintendent of schools July 1, explained the qualities needed to graduate will translate to the future.

“You have demonstrated with four consecutive years, you can persevere and will be successful if you put your mind, and your thought, and your dedication to doing so,”

“Always remember Poughkeepsie; Pioneer pride. … As you prepare for life after high school I urge you to embrace new challenges with the same passion and commitment that has brought you here today.”

Board of Education President Fatimah Carmen Martinez Santiago attended and spoke not just in an official role but as a parent. Her son, Amir Shell, is ranked 21st in the class. She reminded the students about the importance of service to the community.

“Your education is not just for personal advancement,” she said. “It is a tool for leadership, service and transformation, whether through mentorship, advocacy or simply being an example of perseverance, your impact can be profound.”

The breakfast is the first of several events at which the school and Poughkeepsie City School District will celebrate the students’ accomplishments. Among them, the school holds a special “signing day” to acknowledge students’ post-graduate plans, be it college, a trade school, the military or otherwise; as well as a senior awards night and graduation itself.

Grade 12 Counselor Stacey Lee elicited a round of cheers by announcing Wednesday marked 100 days until the end of school. Then, she announced the names of each of the 98 students being honored. For the top 27, she asked them to step forward to the front and stand together. Finally, she announced Vergara and Stewart.

Myers called herself an “extremely happy and proud mom,” saying she didn’t have the words to describe hearing her daughter’s name.

“It’s unexplainable,” she said. “I’m elated but I wasn’t shocked because I know the capability of my daughter and how hard she has worked. She’s dedicated herself for all this.”

As Stewart talked about what the accomplishment meant to her, Myers walked up with camera in-hand, recording it just as she recorded other moments through the morning.
Stewart said having her mother there was “rewarding,” before welling up again.

“She’s been there,” she said. “I wanted to make her proud.”

Myers broke in quickly: “You did!”