OLEAN — Gathered on the auditorium stage together Saturday morning, the 107 members of the Olean High School Class of 2025 heard pieces of advice, well-wishes and congratulations and a slew of memories from their past 13 years together.

“Today, we celebrate years of hard work, late nights, snow days that seemed endless and countless moments that tested our patience and our grit,” salutatorian Sullivan Hoffman said in his address.

On behalf of his classmates, Hoffman thanked the teachers, coaches, faculty, staff and advisors who guided them, supported them and pushed them to grow during their school journey. And to his fellow Huskies, Hoffman said they built something special together.

“My family doesn’t live in the Olean school district — we chose to be here — and if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing,” he said. “Becoming a Husky wasn’t something I was born into — it was a choice, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve made.”

Hoffman said there have been challenges during their school careers, but the Class of 2025 continued to keep working hard despite setbacks or failures. He said the world ahead won’t be easy either, but if they carry the same grit that got them to the stage Saturday morning, they’ll be ready for whatever comes.

“Let’s leave here tonight proud, but not finished,” he said. “Let’s carry the lessons, the memories and the laughter with us. Let’s carry that Husky Spirit with us.”

Salutatorian Sullivan Hoffman (left, at podium) delivers his address to Olean’s graduating class of 2025 during commencement exercises Saturday.

But as the graduates turn the page from their high school careers, Valedictorian Evan Snyder said what comes next may seem intimidating since they’re expected to have plans for their futures and goals to be working toward. Because the future is uncertain, he suggested it’s best not to dwell on it and rather live in the present — taking things one step at a time.

“Do you have a government exam, a physics test and a calculus quiz tomorrow? One step at a time,” he said. “Do you have a tennis match in Orchard Park at 4 o’clock, but the spring concert starts at 6:30? One step at a time.”

While they’re living in the present, Snyder also encouraged his fellow graduates to remember the past and to revisit it fondly by enjoying the memories they made together. He said that how they lived previously directly impacts what decisions they make in each new day, and whether good memories or bad, the past is only as good as the lessons they glean from it.

“You will never technically be in the past or in the future, but you should look up, in front of and behind you, to guide you,” he said. “All you must remember is that when you are overwhelmed, all that is required to get to the top of the staircase is one step at a time.”

Class co-vice president Alyssa Gaylor gave a welcoming speech. Liam McLaughlin, president of Student Affairs, and Sofia Rucinski, event creation and coordination specialist, served as masters of ceremonies.

The Select Choir Seniors performed “Until We Meet Again,” composed by 2022 graduate Jim Chastain. High School Principal Jeffrey Andreano read the list of scholarships and awards many members of the Class of 2025 received.

Board of Education vice-president Mary Hirsch-Schena and Superintendent Dr. Morris congratulated the graduates in messages that offered advice and wished them the best on their next adventures.

Following the presentation of diplomas, class co-president Desiree Muir gave farewell remarks, including a final “Hey, Huskies!” cheer with her fellow graduates.

The Olean Graduation Orchestra, made up of student musicians, performed “Pomp and Circumstance” as the seniors entered the auditorium and “Viva la Vida” as the new graduates left the building.

Class of 2025 valedictorian Evan Snyder addresses his fellow graduates Saturday in the Olean High School auditorium.

Graduates

Isobella A. Ard, Alexander M. Ash-West, Izabella R.R. Ayala, Michael A.C. Bader, Jasmine R. Baglione, Brenden T. Bailey, Courtney J. Bargy, Noah C. Blair, Ava C. Borer, Cavan T. Boutillette, Aaron D. Boutwell, Brooke L. Boysha, Nathan H. Brenneman, James D. Burrows, Annika D. Cashmere, Autumn N. Cassford, Ericka M. Chaplain, Willow J. Chase, Hannah M. Cheney, Aiden A. Clark, Jaeda L. Clark, Ryan M. Clayton, Rosko M. Clute, Arianna R. Cole, Asher D. Cummings, Molly S. DeRose, Brayden R. Dorson, Annalisse J. Easton, Emma J. Edwards, Haidyn A. Field, Blake A. Foster, Brody F. Frame, Darren H.L. Fuller, Avrianna N.J. Gadley, Noah T. Gallo, Alyssa M. Gaylor, Jackson D. Gonzalez, Leah K. Gould, Spencer A. Greenstein, Chloe R. Hall, DyAndrah A. Hanson, Jayden M. Harrington, Carmen J. HAsper, Dylan I. Hendryx, Brandon M. Herbert, Sullivan P. Hoffman, Damon R. Hollowell, Michael R. Jandrew II, Cayden J. Jimerson, Brekin R. Johnson, Jacksen A. Kahm, Mia R. Keller, Brennan M. Kielar, Thomas J. Kielar, Angelus A. Kimbrough, Blake P. Kinnaird, Phoenix M. Langdon, Rhyannon V. Luper-Orcutt, Kadyn M. Malloy, Jayden C. Marvin, Abriana M. Maull, Lakya L. Maull, Hannah E. McAdam, Liam C. McLaughlin, Mia R. McVinney, Aiden N. Meyer, Manoah J.M. Miketish, Ava R. Moran, Isabella C. Morelli, Desiree A. Muir, Alexander M. Myers, Eli T. Orcutt, Janis M. Osswald, Levi L. Otero, Nicolie A. Portlow, Ethan J. Potter, Iraya R. Prosser, Luca P. Quinn, Lorenzo Racana, Josalynn N. Roche, Alana M. Rowand, Sofia E. Rucinski, Aaron R. Samuel, Reece A. Schreiber, Vailon R. Scott, Ammar A. Shaikh, Andrew J. Shaul Jr., Garrett W.P. Shaw, Bianca M. Simons, Terry Singh, Joscelyn R.N. Smith, Evan D. Snyder, Brooke N. Stuckey, Gideon D. Tarr, Zaiden H. Thach, Caedyn N. Tingley, Julia R. Vandenberg, Chase R. Vogtli, Tatiana K. Warmley, Damien R. Warren, Zachary P. Warters, Troy N. White, Jillian R. Williams, Maxim T. Windus, Randy J.A. Wright and Montana L. Yehl.

Members of the Olean High School Class of 2025 face the flag with hands over their hearts during the national anthem during commencement exercises Saturday morning.

Awards & Scholarships

Michael A.C. Bader – Louis A. “Louie” and Patricia Magnano Scholarship, Geneseo Honors Grant, SUNY Top 10% Scholarship, Geneseo Community Scholarship, Scholar in Residence and Experience Geneseo.

Brenden T. Bailey – UFCW Local One Benefit Scholarship, James M. Garvey Scholarship, City of Olean Mayor’s Scholarship, Math & Science Award from Rochester Institute of Technology, Twin Tiers United States Bowling Congress Association Scholarship and Harold Dutton Spotlight Award.

Noah C. Blair – Olean Theatre Workshop’s Leslie W. Larson Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Ava C. Borer – New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship, Daemen President’s Scholarship, Daemen HPSA Leadership Scholarship, Jack and Muriel Fogarty Memorial Scholarship and Ben & Rose Schwabenbauer Educational Scholarship.

Cavan T. Boutillette – Anthony and Gayle Iacovino Legacy Scholarship Fund and John Carrol Magis Scholarship.

Autumn N. Cassford – New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship, Jamestown Community College Unified Student Assistance Scholarship and Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship.

Hannah M. Cheney – Voyager Cleveland State University Merit Award.

Jaeda K. Clark – Weston Mills Fire Department Vo-Tech Scholarship.

Molly S. DeRose – JoAnn Wehmeyer English Scholarship, Good Samaritan Award Scholarship, High Point Federal Credit Union Scholarship, Cattaraugus County Youth of the Week, The Masonic Hall Scholarship and 20-40-60 Point Award.

Annalisse J. Easton – Betty Bergreen Scholarship, William D. and Catherine Griffin Fraser Scholarship and the Signe, Svenborg, Agnes and Selma Johnson Scholarship

Emma J. Edwards – Big 30 Athletic Fund, Tyler Bihler Scholarship, Dresser Rand Employees Scholarship, Dr. Brian O’Connell Sr. Memorial Scholarship and Moose Menter Memorial Scholarship.

Brody F. Frame – Kayden Belleisle Memorial Scholarship, United BOCES Teachers Association Scholarship, Paul and Betty Hanson Career/Technical Scholarship and Arnold McHone Sr. Manufacturing Scholarship.

Noah T. Gallo – Big 30 Athletic Fund, Hughey Family Award for Resilience, JF20 Scholarship, Louis W. Ensworth Charitable Foundation Trust Scholarship and Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship.

Spencer A. Greenstein – Paul and Betty Hanson Career/Technical Scholarship and Mary Elizabeth Smith Scholarship.

Chloe R. Hall – OHS Class of 1983 Scholarship.

DyAndrah A. Hanson – Louis W. Ensworth Charitable Foundation Trust Scholarship.

Sullivan P. Hoffman – New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship, Elias Eade Jr. Scholarship, Signe, Svenborg, Agnes and Selma Johnson Scholarship and High Point Federal Credit Union Scholarship.

Jacksen A. Kahm – J. Michael Shane and City of Olean Firefighters Scholarship, Gregory D. Spring Perseverance Scholarship, Tracy Veno Memorial/OPF Local 1796 Scholarship and CSEA Local 805 Scholarship.

Brennan M. Kielar – Marjorie and Robert Schaumleffel Rotary Scholarship, Prometheus Scholarship – SUNY Brockport’s Honor College and Ancient Order of Hibernians Scholarship.

Thomas J. Kielar – Don and Bern Holcomb Memorial Scholarship, Cardinal Scholarship – SUNY Plattsburgh and Ancient Order of Hibernians Scholarship.

Blake P. Kinnaird – J. Michael Shane and City of Olean Firefighters Scholarship, Betty Bergreen Scholarship, Mary Elizabeth Smith Scholarship, Dennis M. Napolione Scholarship, Olean High School Sports’ Booster Scholarship, Ithaca College Scholarship, Scholar Athlete Runner Up, Burt Scholarship and the Ora and Bernard Gavin Scholarship Award.

Kadyn M. Malloy – The American Legion Portville Scholarship Award.

Lakya L. Maull – Louis W. Ensworth Charitable Foundation Trust Scholarship, Thomas & Robert Smythe Scholarship and Juneteenth Jamboree Scholarship.

Hannah E. McAdam – Michele Krahe Peace Olean High School Scholarship and Louis L. Marra Memorial Scholarship.

Mia R. McVinney – The John Ballak Memorial Scholarship.

Manoah J.M. Miketish – Kayden Belleisle Memorial Scholarship, J. Michael Shane and City of Olean Firefighters Scholarship, Sara Mollica Memorial Scholarship

Desiree A. Muir – Ann Lee Hancock Konneker Manasseh Cutler Scholarship and ConnectLife Scholarship.

Levi L. Otero – OHS Walter L. Reisner Unsung Lineman Award.

Iraya R. Prosser – Chuck Pettit Memorial Scholarship.

Luca P. Quinn – St. Bonaventure University Ryan Owen Hughes Memorial Scholarship.

Alana M. Rowand – Jonathan Teuscher Scholarship.

Sofia E. Rucinski – George and Marcia Pancio Scholarship, ConnectLife Scholarship, Cleveland State University Voyager Merit Scholarship and the Betty Pappas National Honor Society Scholarship.

Aaron R. Samuel – Jamestown Community College Unified Student Assistance Scholarship, Colt 45 Strong Inc. Scholarship, ConnectLife Scholarship and the J. E. Howe Educational Scholarship.

Reece A. Schreiver – Bonnie Scholarship Award.

Vailon R. Scott – OESPA (Olean Educational Support Personnel Association) Scholarship and the Mary Elizabeth Smith Scholarship.

Bianca M. Simons – OHS Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund, Olean High School Sports’ Booster Scholarship and CA-DIDI Impact Award.

Evan D. Snyder – New York State Academic Excellence Scholarship, OHS Class of 1961 Scholarship Fund, Mary Elizabeth Smith Scholarship, Carroll Swanson Memorial Scholarship for the Performing Arts, Herbert L. Sackett Memorial Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Presidential Scholarship, Cutco Sons & Daughters Scholarship, L. K. Foote Family Memorial Fund Trust Scholarship and Indeck Scholarship.

Zaiden H. Thach – Benjamin Litteer Memorial Art Scholarship.

Caedyn N. Tingley – Big 30 Athletic Fund, Tim Bushnell Memorial Scholarship, Hughey Family Award for Resilience, Patricia McCarthy Memorial Scholarship and University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Panther Scholarship.

Chase R. Vogtli – The David Block Memorial Family Scholarship, Tyler Bihler Scholarship and Moose Menter Memorial Scholarship.

Tatiana K. Warmley – Robert E. Hull VMD Memorial Scholarship, James A. and Joe E. Maguire Family Scholarship, Olean High School Alumni Association Scholarship, Juneteenth Jamboree Scholarship, Youth Citizenship Award and NYS School Board Association Scholarship.

Olean Superintendent Dr. Genelle Morris (left, at podium) congratulates the Class of 2025 during their commencement ceremony Friday morning in the high school auditorium.