JHS Celebrates New Graduates at 160th Commencement

Jamestown High School celebrated the achievements of the 301 members of the Class of 2026 during its 160th Commencement on Thursday. The ceremony at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater included words from Jamestown Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kevin Whitaker, who encouraged the Class of 2026 to remain community-minded and give back as they take their next steps. Class co-presidents Dalana Jackson and Siena Loomis reflected on the class' impact on JHS and ecouraged their classmates to follow their lead in taking heart to two important lessons -- joining and supporting the community. Salutatorian Allison MacCallum spoke about the essence of labels, saying that life is not about what's "waiting on the other side." Valedictorian Reagan Volpe paid tribute to heroes -- both fictional, like Iron Man; and real, particularly her grandfather, Gary Melquist, who was injured in an explosion during the Vietnam War, resulting in hearing loss and the loss of a limb.

Thursday's commencement also featured JHS Class of 2015 graduate and NFL tight end Stephen Carlson delivering the keynote address. He encouraged the new graduates to "master the things that take zero talent" as they begin the next part of their lives. Carlson told the Class of 2026 they may not remember what he said 11 years from now...

Stephen Carlson: remember tonight as a success

Carlson says he's found about three things that can take you further than your talent may. He says he learned them when he first arrived at Princeton University. Carlson had to change some coursework and learn to play a different position in football...

Stephen Carlson: preparation, attitude a

However, he says his biggest challenge was when he suffered what could have been a career-ending knee injury while a member of the Cleveland Browns. Carlson was out of football for about two years, but used lessons he learned at JHS to get back to playing football.

Click here to watch the full commencement ceremony.

Photo by Jamestown Public Schools