By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
PORTVILLE — Sixty-four seniors graduated Friday at the annual Portville Central School Commencement.
Senior Myra Sprout sang the National Anthem and Julia Layton gave the invocation.
Senior Class President Adam Chudy congratulated his classmates and shared some of his recollections of their school years together.
“As we leave this place today, we carry more than diplomas—we carry memories of laughter in the hallways, lessons learned in classrooms, victories celebrated together, and friendships that have shaped who we are.” Chudy said.
“Though our paths may lead us in different directions, there will always be something special that brings us back to Portville: the shared experiences, familiar faces, and pride we feel for the school, teachers, and staff that helped us become who we are. The moments we’ve shared here will forever connect us, no matter how many miles separate us.” he said.
“As we step into the future, may we continue to support one another, cherish the friendships we’ve built, and remain true to the values and spirit of our school. Once a Panther, always a Panther. Congratulations, Class of 2026 — our story together may be ending, but the memories and friendships we’ve made will last a lifetime,” Chudy said.
In his Valedictorian speech, Aidan DiFazio asked, “Who is the Class of 2026? We are state champions, record-holders, athletes,
artists, musicians, tradesmen and women, and volunteers in our school and community. We are Panthers!”
DeFazio told graduates: “After tonight, I am no different than every other student in a cap and gown. A broke, slightly lost eighteen-year-old stepping into the real world. In a few months, when I walk onto my college campus, nobody will care what my GPA was. Nobody will care about my class rank or my athletic accomplishments. I will start over.”
“And honestly? That is the most exciting part of our next experience as high school graduates heading to college, the military, trade school or the workforce. We all get a fresh start.”
DiFazio said, “College is not four years of chasing a high average. It is four years of finding out who you are. It is four years of discovering your passions, meeting people who challenge your thinking, and putting yourself in situations that force you to grow. I cannot define success for you. But I know this: success does not find people who choose comfort over growth.”
In her Salutatorian address, Emma Rhinehart said, “Tonight is about more than graduation. It’s the closing of a chapter that, for a long time, felt like it would never end.”
“It’s about what we’ve experienced and who we’ve become because of it. It’s about the people we’ve loved, the obstacles we’ve carried, the versions of ourselves we’ve outgrown, and the people sitting beside us who helped shape who we are today,” Rhinehart said.
“I think about our first day of school, when everything felt unfamiliar. And now the last, when everything feels almost too familiar to leave,” she said.
“I think about the last games. The last performances. The last concerts. The last walks through these hallways without realizing they would be the last,” she said.
“And somewhere between all of those firsts and lasts… we grew up. Not all at once. And not in some dramatic movie moment like I’d imagined. But slowly. Quietly. Without us ever noticing that it was happening,” Rhinehart said.
“Class of 2026, thank you for being part of my story. Thank you for the memories, the lessons, the laughter. For the challenges and helping me grow. For helping shape who I am… and who I’m still becoming,” she said.
“Congratulations, Class of 2026. Thank you for letting me grow up beside you. I couldn’t be more blessed to have shared this chapter and this place we call home,” Rhinehart said.
High School Principal Larry Welty Jr., charged the graduates and Superintendent Thomas Simon accepted them for graduation.
Diplomas were presented by Board of Education President Daniel Wenke and Simon.
The 2026 graduates are:
Madison Richelle Baldwin, Timothy Reese J. Benson, Ellie M. Billings, Samantha Lynn Bray, Ryan Michael Burke,
Hunter Michael Burrows, Simon J. Carleton, Nicholas W. J. Carpenter, Ian D. Chamberlain, Dylan Adam Chudy.
AnnaBella Conkey, Bryce B. S. Crawford, Aidan Robert DeFazio, Ava Josephine Edwards, Matthew Christopher Fahnestock, Madison Joleen Ford, Kaleb Michael Foster,
James Frazier, Carson Jay Friends, Madelyn Estelle Gardner, Isabella Eileen George.
James Theodore Giamanco, Sofia E. Glover, Zachary James Green, Ali Brielle Haynes, Riley Horsley, Myleigh Alise Jobe, Jaclyn Karnuth, Cameron I. Keesler, Chad Knittle, Ty Robert Kosinski.
Julia Layton, Alexis R. Linn, Sarah A. Long, Ronald J. Maxson, James D. McHenry, Kiyah Diane Mohr, Isabella Jolie Morales, John F. Neeson, Kassandra Nitsche, Patrick James Perkins.
Emma Rose Pinney, Logan S. Proctor, Blake Andrew Larry Randolph, Emma Madeline Rhinehart, Mia Joelle Rhinehart, Conner Thomas Roulo, Alexa D. Schoonover,
Angeline Grace Schwabenbauer, Claira Lucille Scott, David A. Silsby, Olivia Marie Silvis.
Clementine R. Sorvillo, Skielyn Elizabeth Spencer, Darren J. Spring, Myra Hazel Sprout, Daniel Joseph Van Buskirk,
Paul Leonard Vos, Adelyn Dana Walker, Brayden Gene Williams, Tyler R. Williams, Hailee Noel Wray, Demetrious Valencio Young, Jake Aaron Zeigler.
Student awards and scholarships
Madison Richelle Baldwin — Student Council Scholarship, Thomas M. Barnes Scholarship.
Samantha Lynn Bray — Portville Faculty Association Excellence in Education Award, Art & Antique Committee Scholarship, PCS Student Council Connect Life Scholarship, Harold E. Moulton Scholarship, Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Donald A. Wormer Family Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Simon J. Carleton — Patrick Shinners Memorial Team Player Scholarship.
Ian D. Chamberlain — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship.
Dylan Adam Chudy — Arnold McHone Sr. Manufacturing Scholarship.
AnnaBella Conkey — Signe H. Johnson Scholarship.
Bryce B. S. Crawford — Portville College Scholarships.
Aidan Robert DeFazio — Suain Family Future Accountant Scholarship, Student Council Scholarship, Ancient Order of the Hibernians Scholarship, Daniel and Patrick McCarthy Scholarship.
Ava Josephine Edwards — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship, Ora & Bernard Gavin Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Madison Joleen Ford — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship, PCS Student Council Connect Life Scholarship, L. K. Foote Family Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Raquel King Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Donald A. Wormer Family Scholarship, Portville College Scholarships.
Kaleb Michael Foster — Thomas M. Barnes Scholarship.
Madelyn Estelle Gardner — PCS Student Council American Red Cross Scholarship, Amaranth Verna Harbeck Memorial Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Isabella Eileen George — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship, Michele Foss Bartholomew “Good Person” Scholarship, Portville Alumni Association Scholarship.
James Theodore Giamanco — Dresser-Rand Employees Scholarship, Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarship.
Sofia E. Glover — Portville Faculty Association Excellence in Education Award, Art & Antique Committee Scholarship.
Zachary James Green — Student Council Scholarship, Robert “Dean” Travis Memorial Scholarship, Amaranth Verna Harbeck Memorial Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Ali Brielle Haynes — Frair Fund Award, Art & Antique Committee Scholarship,Michele Foss Bartholomew “Good Person” Scholarship, Melissa Suain Early Childhood Education Scholarship, Portville Sports Boosters Exceptional Athlete Award, Belva A. Waite Memorial, Dresser-Rand Employees Scholarship Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Chad Knittle — Robert “Dean” Travis Memorial Scholarship.
Ty Robert Kosinski — Dave Waugh Memorial Scholarship, Jeffrey Vern Warner Scholarship, Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship, Nelson M. Beard Memorial Scholarship, Eva M. Taggerty Memorial Scholarship.
Julia Layton — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship, Student Council Scholarship, Colt 45 Strong Foundation Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Alexis R. Linn — Daniel and Patrick McCarthy Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Sarah A. Long — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship.
Isabella Jolie Morales — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship, Art & Antique Committee Scholarship, PCS Student Council Connect Life Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
John F. Neeson — Student Council Scholarship.
Emma Rose Pinney — Belva A. Waite Memorial Scholarship.
Blake Andrew Larry Randolph — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship, Art & Antique Committee Scholarship, Student Council Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Emma Madeline Rhinehart — Portville Faculty Association Excellence in Education Award, Michele Foss Bartholomew “Good Person” Scholarship, Dr. Donald A. Wormer Family Scholarship, Portville College Scholarships.
Mia Joelle Rhinehart — PCS Student Council American Red Cross Scholarship, Dave Waugh Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Donald A. Wormer Family Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Conner Thomas Roulo — Portville Free Library Scholarship, Portville Alumni Association Scholarship.
Alexa D. Schoonover — Diane Donovan Schoonover Memorial Scholarship, Thomas M. Barnes Scholarship.
Claira Lucille Scott — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship, Art & Antique Committee Scholarship, Chuck Bretzin Jr. Scholarship, Ancient Order of the Hibernians, Dresser-Rand Employees Scholarship Scholarship, Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship, Dr. Donald A. Wormer Family Scholarship.
Clementine R. Sorvillo — Burt Scholarship.
Skielyn Elizabeth Spencer — Jonathan Teuscher Scholarship, Thomas M. Barnes Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Myra Hazel Sprout — Dawne Evans Joseph Scholarship, Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship Memorial Award, Carroll Swanson Memorial Scholarship, Portville College Scholarship.
Daniel Joseph Van Buskirk — Deputy Wayne and Carol Krieger Scholarship.
Paul Leonard Vos — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship, Cattaraugus County Trappers Memorial Scholarship.
Adelyn Dana Walker — Dr. Louise Merrick Memorial Scholarship.
Demetrious Valencio Young — Harold E. Moulton Scholarship.
Jake Aaron Zeigler — ACE Scholarship, Portville Sports Boosters Exceptional Athlete Award.
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