Cuba-Rushford Class of 2025 Valedictorian Brynn Lavery addresses graduates during Saturday’s ceremony.

CUBA — Fifty graduates crossed the stage Saturday morning on their way out into the world.

Cuba-Rushford Central School District conferred 50 diplomas on graduates in a Saturday morning ceremony at the Middle-High School auditorium.

“You have accomplished the race, and we’re very proud of you,” said district Superintendent Carlos Gildemeister, encouraging the graduates to seek wisdom and truth, stay flexible, and to work to help solve the world’s problems.

“The air smells like excitement, potential — and maybe smells a bit like Axe body spray,” joked School Board President Casey Linderman, going on to laud the students for their achievement and for their parents and teachers helping them along the way.

Cuba-Rushford Class of 2025 Salutatorian Cloey Larabee addresses graduates during Saturday’s ceremony.

“It’s a strange world — you’re ready for it,” he said. “Remember, you carry the legacy of Cuba-Rushford and this community with you. Go make us proud, go make yourself proud, and remember this: You are still Rebels.”

Valedictorian Brynn Lavery noted the various challenges the class members went through on their way through school.

“We didn’t just survive high school — we grew through it,” she said, noting the remote learning and other changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic helped the class grow closer and learn to solve problems. “Resilience is about more than bouncing back, but moving forward with purpose.”

Salutatorian Cloey Larabee spoke of the impact the class members had on each other, and her desire for them to do well.

“Without each other, we wouldn’t be who we are today,” she said. “Although success is different for each of us, we all want to succeed… with the world constantly evolving, now is the time to step up and be a leader.”

District Principal Chris Fee thanked parents and teachers for their efforts with the graduates, noting “success requires more than hard work.”

To the graduates, he said “Every habit you nurture is an investment into your future… I encourage each of you to continue shaping your personal brand.”

He also encouraged the graduates to face the ups and downs of “the roller coaster of life” with “calm and blissful energy.”

Musical selections included the national anthem by graduates Arianna Belcer, Alayna Huegel, and Coleton Stupp; an instrumental version of “The Climb” by the graduation band, and “Where the Light Begins” performed by the graduation choir.

Graduates included: Brenton R. Ahrens, Arianna J. Belcer, Madison R. Burch, Natalie B. Burrows, Mason R. Colf, Timothy J. Corke III, Brian K. Dempsey, Paula Diniz Freitas, Tessa G. Dunworth, Tyler J. Dutton, Dean M. Frank, Mason J. Frederick, Skylar K. Gadley, Alayna M. Huegel, Breckham J. Hunt, JoAnne E. Hupp, Colston M. Jefferies, Zachariah M. Kaffan, Lucas J. Keiser, Reagan N. Kerr, Elizabeth C. Kocsis, Cloey J. Larabee, Brynn A. Lavery, Alexis L. Layman, Ruth M. Letson, Olive L. McAnany, Annaleece M. Melton, Greta A. Motil, Chloe E. Peters, Evan D. M. Peterson, Kadin N. Pierce, Julian C. Pixley, Finnian S. Ricketts, Dylan C. Rinus, Jazmyn L. Roat, Jasmine A. Roe, Landen A. Schappacher, Anderson L. Seigel, Adam G. Shaffer, Olivia M. Shawl, Lanson A. Skinner, Eli J. Sleggs, Kaylin A. Smith, Sarah E. Stadler, Lilah H. Stroud, Coleton D. Stupp, Noah R. Vail, Madison M. Wendt, Brayden S. White, Joseph R. Zeh