CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - Before the John Jay High School Class of 2026 graduated on June 16, Principal Steven Siciliano shared words of wisdom and encouragement:
"To the Class of 2026, what I can say is, “You had us at hello.” Your parents will explain the movie reference to you later over dinner.
From the moment this class first stepped onto campus, you brought an energy and spirit that made our school feel more like home—a place where possibility begins with a simple greeting: hello. Possibilities became outcomes of which we are all deservedly proud.
Today, we celebrate not only the diplomas but also the remarkable achievements and character that define our graduating class. Our student-athletes, for example, consistently demonstrated skill and perseverance, displaying graciousness in victory, humility in defeat, and camaraderie always. We’re so proud of our student-athletes’ accomplishments.
This class has produced 24 All-League, seven All-Section, two All-State student-athletes, and one All-American (congratulations, Blake O’Callaghan). This class was part of league championships in girls soccer, boys and girls swimming and diving, and boys skiing. Girls cross country earned section, county, and state championships and produced a state and federation champion. Congratulations, Sloan Wasserman, on an extraordinary time of 9:27.39 in the 3,000-meter run. For those of us who will not bow down to the metric system, that’s 1.86 miles. Amazing!
In science research, you earned recognition for your innovation and curiosity at WESEF, where five seniors placed first, second, or third in Behavioral Sciences and Cellular and Molecular Biology. Robotics, with six seniors on a team of 10, earned another trip to international competition in Houston after winning the state championship. They emerged from their second international competition in three years ranked 18th in the world. We are not fooling around here!
The fine and performing arts flourished, filling our halls, stage, and fields with creativity, music, and passion—reminding us all of the power of expression and imagination. It’s been an amazing four years of performances represented by this class. Prior to this year, incredible productions included 9 to 5, Legally Blonde, and 42nd Street. I hope all our fine and performing arts students have learned and will keep the words of Zeus from this year’s performance:
“Myopic mortal, that is the greatest achievement any of you may hope for: to love someone else and to create art. That is Xanadu!”
Now, I’m admittedly a little worried. Your four years of high school have coincided with Mr. Henderson taking over the band program, which, in addition to extraordinary music by our ensemble groups, included the creation of the house band Route 121. How many high schools have a house band that could rival the late-night talk shows? They brought wonderful contemporary music to the contest field at Friday night football games, holiday celebrations, on the lawn to kick off Jay Fest, and at various times in our hallways, just because we could!
They will be a tough act to follow, no doubt. While the future is always bright at JJ, we will miss you.
We again proudly stand as a College Board Platinum School, a distinction reflecting our commitment to excellence and opportunity for all. Once again, our graduates are heading to some of the nation’s top colleges and universities, smaller liberal arts colleges, and, I understand, at least one of our students has been offered a position at a business based on his internship experience and will soon be reporting for work.
Congratulations, David Roitmann Chamberlain. Auto upholstery—I’ve seen his work. Get his card!
But your accomplishments extend beyond academics and awards. This class has shown extraordinary kindness, uplifting one another and fostering a positive climate and culture within our school. To the best of our ability, we tried to have something for everyone as this class took to heart our district pillar of belonging.
As you reflect on the unique and shared experiences of this past year alone—which included a new block schedule and one-hour common lunches (you’ll come to know the value of a one-hour lunch when you no longer have a one-hour lunch)—remember that these moments, with cell phones set aside for the most part, allowed you to truly connect. You laughed, you listened, and you built friendships, rediscovering the value of genuine conversation and shared experiences.
Speaking of shared experiences, Community and Culture Day again looked and felt like an international block party. Winter Wonderland saw teenagers enjoying making gingerbread houses like little kids. Students learned that being part of a community comes with responsibilities, as they once again thanked our veterans through our annual Field of Honor.
Your class always made Jay Fest what it is at its core—a celebration of community, with the pinnacle being cheering on your classmates in Unified Basketball, showing us all, again and again, that when love shows up, others are lifted up.
Maybe less importantly, but memorable nevertheless, you will be the first class to have a duck quack end a mini-block and to hear “Yabba Dabba Doo” over the PA every Friday afternoon as a reminder that we must have balance, which includes the need to rest and recharge.
These will eventually serve as pretty cool trivia questions when you come back for your reunions. Parents and grandparents, your kids will explain all of this to you over dinner.
I close with some excerpts and observations from Jodi Kantor, an investigative reporter who has written a new book titled How to Start: Discovering Your Life’s Work. She wrote a timely article for The New York Times a couple of months ago, and I think it is applicable to every generation.
She wrote:
“It took me years of working life, of seeing others rise and fall in their careers, to grasp something fundamental: Most successful, fulfilled people practice a special thing they know how to do that other people do not. This is craft.
“When we hone our crafts, we build up protection against being regarded as disposable or interchangeable. Your craft is truly yours and cannot be taken away. As you’re starting out, the point is not to already possess a craft; it’s to find a road to mastering one.”
I’ll piggyback off that for a moment.
Back in the 1960s, in a famous movie, Dustin Hoffman’s character was told that the key to the future could be summed up in one word—extra credit if you know it: “plastics.”
Your grandparents will explain the movie reference to you over dinner. Bonus points if you know the movie! Yes, The Graduate.
The key to your futures is apparently determined by two letters: AI.
I think we share Jodi Kantor’s assertion when she writes, “Technological advances are sending your generation a message: You’re not needed. That’s degrading, and it’s false.”
It is not a given that there will be no jobs because of AI, but you could very well be in stiff competition with someone who has learned how to use it. Either way, don’t be afraid.
Just as there was a place for you at JJHS, there will be a place for you in this world—an important place, a valued place, a place where you belong, a place where possibilities turn into outcomes.
Class of 2026, yes, you had us all at hello, but it’s also why it’s hard to say goodbye.
But say goodbye we must.
Congratulations, and we wish you all the best."
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