Arcadia High School awarded diplomas to the Greece Central School District Class of 2025 during a commencement ceremony at Arcadia High School, where Superintendent Jeremy Smalling and Board of Education President Sean McCabe formally presented diplomas and student speakers addressed graduates.

The diplomas were conferred “on behalf of the Board of Education of the Greece Central School District” and, as Board President Sean McCabe said from the stage, in the authority vested in him by the state. Principal Christina Wurzeniak opened the ceremony and introduced school and district leaders, students and faculty who participated in the event.

The ceremony combined musical performances, student addresses and formal diploma presentation. Student speakers Nikki Lynn, Caitlin Spring and others gave commencement remarks encouraging classmates to take chances and persist through setbacks. Student performers Ian Rice and Tessa Myers provided musical selections, and Riley Maloney of the Class of 2025 led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Superintendent Jeremy Smalling addressed graduates about resilience and personal responsibility, urging students to focus on how they respond to adversity. “The 90% is where your strength lives,” Smalling told the graduates during his remarks.

Principal Christina Wurzeniak thanked families, staff and board members for supporting the class of 2025 and asked the audience to respect each student’s moment on stage by refraining from noisemakers while names were read. The school read graduate names in alphabetical order while district leaders presented diplomas; graduates then performed the symbolic moving of tassels from right to left.

The ceremony included a staff recognition: Corrine DeMora was invited to center stage and acknowledged for her work organizing the class of 2025’s graduating events; the principal said this would be DeMora’s last graduation with Arcadia before she moves to another district.

At the close of the ceremony, staff asked audience members to keep aisles and the rear lobby clear while graduates recessed and meet their families outside. The event ended with final remarks from Matthew Lipinski, who thanked staff, families and the board for supporting the graduates.

No policy changes, votes or budgetary actions were proposed or taken during the ceremony; the event was ceremonial and the diplomas were presented under the district’s and state education authorities’ existing authorities.