The Rye Lake Lower Campus team staged a festive and celebratory commencement ceremony for six distinguished graduates who are moving on to new challenges.

Jair Mendoza, Mohamed Traore, Gerald Herring, Yocelin Gramajo-Vasquez, Alicia Hart and Daniel Smith were cheered on by family, friends, teachers and support staff at the June 18, 2026, event in the elaborately and thoughtfully decorated Decagon Building.

Principal Jonathan Remeny reflected on a year of significant change, as the MD program transitioned from the Tappan Hill School to join the existing AIIM program on campus.

While change can bring a sense of uncertainty amid new faces, new routines and unfamiliar settings. Students and staff alike embraced the opportunity to build something new, he said.

“What emerged was more than a successful transition,” said Principal Remeny. “We created a community where every student is welcomed, valued, respected, and celebrated for who they are.”

Students Noah Powell and David Alicea took turns leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Each graduate was then presented with their certificates before the lights dimmed for an emotional slideshow featuring the honorees. Music teacher Donald Stevens from the Westchester Conservatory of Music provided the soundtrack for the ceremony. Mohamed, Gerald, Yocelin and Daniels received medals as Bob Newman Award honorees, named in memory of a Southern Westchester BOCES student.

Mr. Remeny thanked the families for their trust, support and advocacy. He also thanked faculty and staff for all they do for students every day. He shared heartfelt reflections on each graduate as conveyed by their respective teachers.

“Today, as we celebrate our graduates, we recognize that every student's journey is unique,” he said. “Each student has brought their own personality, strengths, interests, and gifts to our school community. Whether they communicate with words, gestures, technology, or with those bright smiles that can light up a room, each one of our graduates has left a lasting impact on our campus and helped shape the community we have become.”