Two Poughkeepsie High School seniors were celebrated, along with students from 12 other Dutchess County school districts, during the annual Dutchess BOCES Distinguished Graduate Breakfast on June 6 at the Villa Borghese in Wappingers Falls.
Valedictorian Jhanae Stewart and Salutatorian Salome Vergara were honored for their academic and extracurricular achievements. The ceremony started with students from Poughkeepsie High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) presenting the American flag and a rendition of the national anthem. Stewart, who plans to study political science so she can become a lawyer, has shown a strong commitment to both academics and leadership at school. She completed a plethora of college courses in subjects such as pre-calculus and English, is a member of the National Honor Society, wrote for the Pioneer Post newspaper and a guest spot in The Miscellany News at Vassar College, and serves as student liaison to the Board of Education. She plans to attend Vassar in the fall.
Vergara, who will study neuroscience in college to become a researcher, was part of the AFJROTC from freshman year, where she received the highest rank of colonel, to senior year, where she was named squadron commander. Additionally, she is part of the National Honor Society, where she completed more than 200 community service hours and started a tutoring program for English language learners. She plans to attend SUNY New Paltz.
Both joined the district before their freshman years, with Stewart coming from Jamaica and Vergara from Colombia. Assistant Superintendent for Secondary Education Dr. Charles Gallo praised his students and the efforts of the other attendees, noting it is moving to see students evolve throughout the years.
“I’m sure everyone in this room has certain memories of students that come in like a lamb and go out like a lion,” Gallo said. “Each one of them has unique qualities that separates them from the rest.”Dutchess BOCES District Superintendent Jodi DeLucia and Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino welcomed guests before everyone enjoyed a hearty buffet breakfast.
This year’s keynote speaker was L’Quette Taylor, a 2005 Poughkeepsie High School graduate and founder and CEO of Community Matters 2. He recalled a time when he asked his mother for $20 when he was 23. She told him he had to do something with his life.
“My mother cared about me, so she gave me the best advice that she could … understand there are people here today that care about you,” Taylor said. “Every choice that you make matters. Actually think about how you’re moving forward and how you’re going to do this.”
Taylor also advised students to be themselves, not to procrastinate and to not let failure hold them back.
“Failure is not a threat that you’re going to fail, it’s a gift, it’s a lesson,” Taylor said. “Do not follow the crowd and understand why you’re here … be impactful.”