Poughkeepsie High School’s 153rd Commencement

By Journalist Dr. Ms. Jones

POUGHKEEPSIE – Poughkeepsie High School celebrated its 153rd Commencement on Friday, June 27th at the Poughkeepsie High School Athletic Complex. Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser gave the Superintendent’s Welcome Address. He gave graduates three pieces of advice.

“First, dare to dream boldly. Embrace the uncertainty that lies ahead. Do not be afraid to chase your wildest aspirations. It is in daring to dream that you will discover your true potential and unleash your power to create change. Second, lead with empathy and compassion. As you navigate the complexities of the world, remember the importance of kindness, understanding and sensitivity. By lifting others up and standing in solidarity with those in need, you will help build a more inclusive and democratic society for all. And finally, never underestimate the power of your voice… Each of you can spark change, challenge the status quo, and leave your mark on this world. Speak up, speak out,” said Superintendent Dr. Rosser.

Graduates with GPAs of 90% or higher were recognized and honored by sitting on the stage with faculty and guests. These top graduates, along with My Brother’s Keeper and Sister 2 Sister Empowerment Clubs, were presented with new printers by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s Kappa Mu Chapter.

“As a chapter, [we] collected a little over 30 printers to give away to the graduating class of 2025.We just wanted to give back to the students because we know having a printer in college is essential. You [have to] print out a lot of stuff. And we thought, instead of having them pay for it at the college, they could have their own,” said Tylen Scott, Keeper of Exchequer of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Kappa Mu Chapter, who also distributed printers to graduates of My Brother’s Keeper at Middletown High School.

Class President Jocelyn Rojas Antonio addressed the graduates in Spanish and announced the senior class gift of a new grill to foster community. The Class of 2025Salutatorian Salome Vergara and Valedictorian Jhanae Stewart also addressed the crowd. Vergara delivered an eloquent speech, emphasizing the importance of resilience, perseverance, and not judging others. She also encouraged graduates to embrace their unique paths and reminded them that their stories are just beginning.

Stewart highlighted the importance of determination and perseverance.

“We celebrate not just a milestone, but a movement, a movement of perseverance. None of our journeys here have been the same and we have all chosen different paths that led us here today. Despite these different paths, we’ve all arrived here because of one shared dream, determination. Our determination, that inner drive to push past limits is what makes us special as a class. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, once said, ‘If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving forward.’ Determination is not just about crossing the finish line. It’s about continuing to move forward even when the road disappears beneath your feet. And that’s exactly what this class did. We moved forward no matter how hard, no matter how slow, through the chaos of deadlines, the sting of failure, even the weight of expectations. We moved forward and that’s what we must continue to do as we face the world ahead,” said Stewart.

Robert Watson, Jr., Poughkeepsie High School alumnus, delivered the Keynote Address. He shared his journey from being Poughkeepsie High School valedictorian to graduating from and being an Executive Director at Harvard. He also stressed the importance of failure, risk-taking, building strong relationships, and knowing the power of home.

“All of the greats of any discipline- athletes, science, artists, politicians, and entrepreneurs- none of them became great without learning how to fail forward. The question isn’t if you’ll fail, but how you will respond when you do,” said Watson. “I encourage you to embrace failure as a necessary part of your journey. Let it humble you. Let it sharpen you. Let it help you evolve into a greater version of yourself you haven’t even met yet.”

Caps flew upon the presentation of the Graduation Class of 2025 by Superintendent Dr. Rosser and Principal Dr. Phee Simpson! Graduates embraced their family and friends and cameras flashed as they looked forward to their journeys ahead.

Journalist Ms. Jones