Columbia High School celebrated its 86th commencement on Saturday morning with 320 graduates receiving their high school diplomas at Hudson Valley Community College. Wearing Columbia blue and white caps and gowns, the graduates walked across the stage and accepted their diplomas from Principal Michael Harkin, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kurtis Kotes, and Board of Education President Kim Turner.

The ceremony celebrated the many talents of its students with stirring performances and eloquent speeches.

Class President Hannah Ortiz ’26, Student Council President Natalie Krisanda ’26, Salutatorians Manyata Madan ’26 and Natalie Perkins ’26, and Valedictorian Lincoln Gipson ’26 each spoke from the podium. They shared reflections of their time in the East Greenbush Central School District while looking to the future with optimism.

“Today, we sit together one final time as a class, as Blue Devils. And we are all filled with hope,” said Mr. Gipson. “Though our paths may soon diverge, we are united by the limitless possibilities that stand before us. Those possibilities will remain limitless so long as we have the courage to pursue them.”

In addition to the student speeches, Eva Roberts ’26 read an original poem.

Seniors from the Columbia Chamber Singers performed the song “Reach,” Holly Thorpe ’26 sang “My Days” from The Notebook with her older brother Shea Thorpe ’23 playing keyboard, and LayVon Scott ’22 sang “The Greatest Love of All” with Mr. Thorpe as an accompanist.

As the graduates crossed the stage, each with different paths, they received their diplomas and became alumni of Columbia High School.

Mr. Harkin closed the ceremony with some final thoughts for the graduates, saying “Never forget, you are the only person who can stop yourself, the only person who can limit your potential, and the only person who can prevent you from reaching your goals. These past four years have showed you that you can accomplish anything.

“For my final farewell,” he continued, “I took some help from your Class of 2038.”

A video then played on the large digital screen above the stage with current kindergarten students giving advice to the graduates such as “Listen to your parents,” “Get a job,” “Take care of others,” and “Always remember, once a Blue Devil, always a Blue Devil.”

 Congratulations to the Columbia High School Class of 2026!

Graduation Photo Gallery

Graduation Photo Slideshow

Photo Slideshow (Courtesy Island Photography)

Video of Graduation Ceremony