Denzel Washington School of the Arts Class of 2026 takes its final bow

The Denzel Washington School of the Arts celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 on Wednesday, sending a talented group of young artists and scholars into the next act of their lives with cheers, music and heartfelt gratitude.

The commencement ceremony was as much a performance as it was a celebration, blending artistic expression with academic achievement in a way that has become the hallmark of the Mount Vernon school. 

Family members, friends, faculty and community leaders filled the auditorium, cheering each graduate as they crossed the stage after years of honing not only their artistic talents but also their voices, confidence and resilience.

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Teacher Raven Keys served as moderator throughout the afternoon's ceremony, which opened with Leanna Laino performing the National Anthem, followed by Laura Reid's stirring rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”  

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Demario Strickland welcomed graduates and their families by reflecting not on grades or accolades, but on the remarkable personal growth he had witnessed over the years.

"When I look at you today, I don't just see names or accomplishments. I see every hallway you filled with music. I see students who walked into this building years ago uncertain of themselves and who now sit before us ready to face the world,” he said.

Dr. Strickland reminded students that artistic talent alone does not sustain a career or a meaningful life.

"What carries you beyond the applause," he said, "is what you do after the curtain comes down. It's how you respond to rejection, disappointment and uncertainty. You've already been rehearsing those lessons every day you've been here."

He encouraged graduates to continue believing in the gifts they have been given, even when success feels distant.

"Keep showing up," he said. "Keep doing the work when no one is watching. Be generous to one another. Remember the people who believed in you before the world did. I'm so proud of who you've become. Now go be the stars I already know you are."

Board of Education President Dr. Donna Marable congratulated the graduates and reminded them that their futures are filled with limitless possibilities, whether their paths lead them to the stage, the classroom, the studio, public service or countless other professions.

"You have dreams, hopes and aspirations," she said. "Whatever path you choose, know that this community believes in you, supports you and will always be proud of you."

Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard challenged graduates to become leaders in their communities by embracing what she called a positive "takeover." Addressing the graduates as fellow artists, she reminded them that creative expression has always had the power to shape society.

"You already understand the power of voice," she said. "Through music, dance, theater and visual arts, you've learned how to move people, tell stories and inspire change."

Rather than allowing others to define their future, she urged the Class of 2026 to take ownership of it.

"Take over your education. Take over your future. Take over your discipline. Take over your career," she said. "Don't wait for permission. Walk into every room believing you belong there. You're not a problem to be managed — you are power to be developed."

The ceremony also featured an original poem by Kaitlyn Leslie before Salutatorian Sydney Whitaker addressed her classmates, focusing her remarks on one simple but powerful idea: gratitude.

She acknowledged the stress that accompanied senior year, including Advanced Placement classes, college applications, scholarship essays and deciding where to attend college — but said gratitude allowed her to appreciate the opportunities before her rather than fear the uncertainty ahead.

"I'm grateful for everything that led me to where I am today," she said. "I'm grateful for my family, my teachers, my classmates and the friendships I've built here."

Sydney reflected on bittersweet memories from senior year, including the Senior Showcase, prom, Virginia Beach trip and reading heartfelt messages written in her yearbook by classmates she has grown alongside since middle school.

She became emotional as she spoke about lifelong friendships, especially her bond with class valedictorian Abigail Stephens, whom she has known since third grade.

"When I cry today," she said, "most of those tears will be tears of gratitude, for having people in my life who are worth crying over."

She also thanked her teachers, guidance counselors and family before encouraging classmates to carry gratitude with them throughout adulthood.

"If there's one thing you take away from today," she concluded, "be grateful. No matter how hard life gets, there's always something to be thankful for."

The audience then enjoyed a touching performance of “I Did It My Way,” performed by class Vice President Matthew Samuels, with a ballet dance by classmate Michael Middleton.

Class President Madison Govia reflected on change — one of the defining themes of the graduating class's journey. She described how leaving a familiar dance studio forced her to rediscover herself beyond the reputation she had built, teaching her that every new chapter offers the chance to redefine who you are.

"Change isn't always replacing something," she said. "Sometimes it's becoming something different."

Madison shared the challenges of choreographing a production of “Annie Jr.,” where unexpected changes forced her to rethink her original vision. Looking back, she realized those changes ultimately strengthened both the performance and her own leadership.

She connected those experiences to the Class of 2026's senior year, including adapting when prom plans changed before eventually joining Mount Vernon High School's celebration.

"It wasn't what many of us imagined but life doesn't always follow the script we write. We adapt, we grow and we create new memories,” Madison said, as she encouraged classmates to embrace uncertainty as they begin college, careers, military service and other pursuits.

"The goal isn't to avoid change," she said. "It's to embrace it, learn from it and allow it to shape you into the person you're meant to become."

Matthew, the class VP, delivered one of the afternoon's most personal speeches, recounting an eighth-grade experience in which he narrowly escaped gunfire. After hearing gunshots, he ran, fell and briefly believed he had been shot before realizing he had only tripped.

Though physically unharmed, the experience forever changed his outlook on life. From that account, he posed the central question that shaped the rest of his address: "Who were you before the world told you who you were?"

Matthew reflected on how labels accumulated throughout childhood often replace authenticity, urging classmates not to allow others to define them. "The answer isn't 'Be yourself,'" he said. "The answer is 'Remember yourself.'"

The ceremony's keynote speaker, New York Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, built on Matthew’s' theme while encouraging graduates to walk confidently in their own purpose.

Mr. Delgado shared his own unlikely journey — from aspiring physician, to philosophy student, Rhodes Scholar, lawyer, hip-hop artist, member of Congress and eventually lieutenant governor.

At several crossroads, he said, choosing passion over expectation transformed his life. "When I followed my purpose, work no longer felt like work,” he said and encouraged graduates to ignore outside pressure and instead listen to their inner voice.

"There is a power inside every one of you," he said. "That power is love. Love will never steer you wrong."

Mr. Delgado urged graduates to remain authentic even when the world questions their decisions.

"Trust your heart," he said. "Be vulnerable. Believe in yourself. Lead with love. No one can take away what already lives inside you."

After a lively senior video montage, presented by Julissa Miller, graduates enjoyed another artistic performance by members of the Class of 2026 before hearing from Abigail, the valedictorian, who reflected on the countless moments that shaped her high school experience.

She reminded classmates that while diplomas recognize achievement, they do not tell the full story. "Everyone sees the accomplishment," she said. "Not everyone sees the journey."

Although graduating with a 100.8 GPA and more than 20 academic excellence awards, Abigail admitted that her greatest lesson had nothing to do with academics.

"I've spent years thinking about the next goal," she said. "But if you're always focused on what's next, you risk missing what's happening right now."

She encouraged classmates to continue chasing ambitious goals while remembering to appreciate everyday moments.

"Take the picture," Abigail said. "Go to the party. Tell people you love them. Appreciate the ordinary moments because one day they'll become the memories you miss the most."

Following the awarding of diplomas, Dr. Strickland formally presented the Class of 2026 to the Board of Education, marking the official completion of the graduates' high school journey.

View the complete photo gallery here!

Class of 2026:

* Regents Diploma
** Advanced Regents Diploma
> Arts Pathway Endorsement

• Brianna Baptiste*
• Romario Brown*
• Santaycia Campbell*
• Selah Chambers* >
• Anna Carolina De Moraes* >
• Yaya Diallo* >
• Marcos Ellis >
• Tanice Fairclough** >
• Evan Gilliam*
• Grace Goncalves* >
• Madison Govia* >
• Madison Green*
• Alicia Hall* >
• Jayden Hanson* >
• Madisyn Harvey** >
• Noel Harvey* >
• Isaac James* >
• Leanna Laino* >
• Kaitlyn Leslie* >
• Raymond Lino*
• Sarah Littlejohn* >
• Leah Loblack* >
• Sin'Niah Maddix*
• Kayden Mann-Munroe* >
• Emily Martinez* >
• Michael Middleton* >
• Alaine Miller*
• Julissa Miller* >
• Madison Miller* >
• Nazneen Mohammed* >
• Jaime Moore* >
• O'Brian Morgan* >
• Nashelee Pena* >
• Felicity Pinnock-Jefferson* >
• Laura Reid*
• Kelsha Rodriques* >
• Ahmad Saijid Crenshaw* >
• Matthew Samuels**
• Shantae Scott*
• Indigo Shaw Reid** >
• Abigail Stephens* >
• Gianna Straun* >
• Arionna Strong* >
• Amani Sutherland* >
• Nevaeh Sutherland* >
• Sarija Terelonge*
• Emmanuel Thorpe*
• Angel Velazquez* >
• Sydney Whitaker** >