Gates Chili High School holds Class of 2025 commencement; diplomas formally conferred

GATES CHILI, N.Y. — Gates Chili High School celebrated its Class of 2025 commencement, featuring student speakers, district leaders’ remarks and the formal conferral of diplomas.

The ceremony, presided over by school and district officials, included a speech by class president Mariah Quintana and a student keynote by Dreya Otis, introduced as the school’s summa cum laude student keynote. Superintendent Christopher J. Daley addressed graduates and families, and Principal Thomas Hamill presented the class for graduation.

The event’s nut graf: the class and community gathered to mark completion of graduation requirements and to recognize students’ achievements; the Board of Education president then directed that diplomas be conferred under the district and state guidelines cited by the principal.

Quintana, introduced as class president, opened with remarks thanking families and teachers and urging graduates to remember their opportunities and friendships. In closing, she returned graduates to the stage for presentation of platform guests and dignitaries.

Student keynote speaker Dreya Otis addressed classmates about resilience and the transition ahead, quoting Natasha Bedingfield: "Today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten." Otis reflected on the class’s shared experiences, including disruptions from COVID-19, and urged peers to carry lessons of perseverance forward.

Superintendent Christopher J. Daley congratulated students and urged them to "be the person who brings light into the room," adding, "We are cheering for you. And yes, don't forget to call home. Because once a Spartan, always a Spartan." Principal Thomas Hamill recalled memories from students' high school years and presented the class to the Board of Education for diploma conferral.

In accordance with remarks on the stage, Principal Hamill said the graduates had completed requirements established by the "Board of Regents of the University of New York" and the Gates Chili Central School District. He recommended to Board of Education President Catherine Coffey that diplomas be conferred; Coffey then directed that the diplomas be conferred. The principal and board president’s statements served as the formal ceremonial conferral; no roll-call vote or separate board action was recorded in the ceremony transcript.

The ceremony included musical performances and the reading of graduates’ names by school staff. Class secretary Kiana Craig delivered farewell remarks thanking families and faculty and encouraging graduates to value the memories they made in high school.

Less critical ceremony items included introductions of district administrators and board members seated on the platform and presentation of the choral selection by the combined advanced treble and concert choirs.

The event concluded with the customary move of tassels and the pronouncement of graduates by the Board of Education president.