Orleans County Honors Top 50 Graduates at 40th Banquet

The top 10 graduates from each of Orleans County's five school districts came together Monday evening for a milestone celebration that's been honoring academic achievement for 40 years.

White Birch Golf Course in Lyndonville hosted the annual banquet, where 50 graduating seniors from the Class of 2026 received recognition for their outstanding academic performance. The event brought together families from Albion, Holley, Kendall, Lyndonville, and Medina to celebrate their children's success.

Madison Farley from Medina was among those honored, receiving a handshake and a copy of Michael Josephson's poem "What Will Matter" from keynote speaker Susan Starkweather Miller. The students spoke with humility about their achievements while their families struggled to contain their excitement.

"It's such an honor to be a part of Medina's Top Ten, to be here," said Darlene Beach, mother of one Medina graduate. Her words captured the pride filling the room as parents watched their children receive recognition for years of dedication.

Roxanne Ham, mother of a Holley graduate, expressed what many parents felt that evening. "This is such a great accomplishment, for all of these seniors to put in all of this hard work and to see it pay off," she shared. "I'm proud of my daughter and each and every student here. They each deserve the recognition."

Why This Inspires

What makes this celebration special isn't just the academic excellence on display. It's the community coming together for 40 years straight to tell their brightest students: your hard work matters, we see you, and we're proud of you.

In a world that often focuses on what's wrong with education, Orleans County has spent four decades doing something wonderfully right. Five school districts set aside rivalry and competition to jointly celebrate their best and brightest, creating a tradition that reminds everyone that success is worth honoring.

The students who gathered Monday evening will head off to colleges and careers across the country, but they'll carry something valuable with them: the memory of a community that celebrated their achievement together.