SALAMANCA — Before the 85 graduates in the Salamanca High School Class of 2025 received their diplomas Friday night, Class Speaker Danica Teeter reminded her peers of all they’ve been through together in the years leading up to that moment.

“Through late nights of struggling to finish an assignment, through projects where only two people actually did anything and that one time the WiFi was down and it felt like society was collapsing, we survived it all,” she said, addressing her fellow graduates on the high school auditorium stage. “Today, as we sit in these rows in our caps and gowns, it’s hard not to think back to where it started.”

From the early lessons learned at Prospect Elementary to the challenges at Seneca Intermediate School, including the COVID-19 pandemic, to the opportunities in high school that allowed them to discover who they were and what they wanted to do, Teeter said they all took their own paths to the graduation stage where they would all come together one last time.

“Here’s to the all-nighters and the fresh starts, to the teachers that believed in us when we didn’t believe in ourselves, to the parents and guardians that cheered from the sidelines and each of you sitting in these rows, thank you for being part of my garden,” she said. “Class of 2025, you’ve grown roots. Now it’s time to grow into something beautiful.”

Class speaker Danica Teeter addresses Salamanca High School’s Class of 2025 during commencement Friday.

Valedictorian Jacob Herrick called Friday the Class of 2025’s championship day, the ultimate goal they’d been working toward for the past 13 years. Even amid the challenges they faced, he said their dedication to improvement and resilience to hardships led to continued growth.

Salamanca Class of 2025 Valedictorian Jacob Herrick delivers his address at Friday’s commencement ceremony.

“We may not always initially be the most skilled at everything we do, but as long as we work hard, we can accomplish whatever we put our minds to,” he said. “Just like in sports, having a positive mindset has led us to accomplish records … We were able to take on challenges and give it our best shot each time.”

However, Herrick also said they made sure to take a step back and spend time with friends, families and hobbies. Enjoying the smaller moments and maintaining a strong work-life balance will lead them to true happiness and freedom.

“We must take this next chapter in our lives with courage and belief in our abilities,” he said. “All of these accomplishments in high school just mark the beginning of what we will achieve in our lives. Our goals are within reach, and it is up to us to accomplish them.”

Salutatorian Sherry Chen said that when she transferred to Salamanca from a big city three years earlier, she felt isolated, surrounded by strangers both at school and working at her family’s restaurant. But since then, she has grown to love the school and the community.

“Over time, strangers have become familiar faces, and the heartfelt comments transformed the job into more than just a business — a hug, a connection, a community,” she said.

Chen said her growth in her family’s restaurant has paralleled her journey in high school, working together with friends and peers and learning more each day with the guidance of teachers and support of family on their way to graduation.

“Growth isn’t just about results. It’s about the effort, the failures and the people who helped us through it,” she added. “Here’s to that journey, and wherever it takes us next.”

Salutatorian Sherry Chen addresses the Salamanca High School Class of 2025 during commencement exercises Friday.

Graduates

Devon Baker, Emily Benjamin, Corey Bish. Gavin Blair, Shawn Blakesslee, Ariyanah Najée Bluntt, Ryanna Rosamond Brady, Mason Dean Brewer. Avery J. Brown, Jaelynn Nicole Brown, James C. Brown, Lehman S. Brown, Nathan Scott Capron, Sage Skye Carson, Abby Jean Chaparro, Sherry Chen, Adam Murray Clark, Dakota Colts, Gray Conrad, Aliah Marie Cook, Kruz Coustenis, Ava Crane Squid Diaz, Aubrey Ruth Domres, Skyla Dowdy, Summer Marie Downey, David William Dunn III, Trente Ellis, Lacie Evans, Arianna George-Shongo, Michael Ginnery, Damien M. Green, Blake M. Grimm, Emmalee Beatrice Ground, Liam Thadeus Hawkins, Jacob Herrick, Cory Michael Holleran, Maddox B. Isaac, Kaysha L. Jimenez-Roman, Allison Renee Jimerson, Alyce R.M. Jimerson, Zac Jimerson, Lauren E. John, Vann G. John, Colleen Johnny-John, Jacob Johnson-Drain, Cole A. Klute, Warrick I. Kyler, Madisyn Marie Lafferty, Kyle Robert Lecceardone, Deaja H. Martinez, Maylina Rae Massagli, Sachem R. Maybee, Avalena Lucille McClure, Brynn Alexis McClure, Izabella Milks, Jerry J. Miller, Abigail Murphy, Miah Perez, Xavier Rey Peters, Kailyne RaeAnn Pierce, Wyatt Noel Poling, Ulysses E. Printup, Kayleen M. Reyes, Braydan M. Reynolds, Dayanna Kenzie Silverheels, Abagayle O. Skeels, Jasmine Smith, Serenity Snow, Chloe Stanczykowski, Trinity Ann Stevens, Cassidy Stewart, Gordon Michael Sullivan III, Colton Benjiman Taylor, Danica Janine Teeter, Mikaela A. Tennity, Zachary James Trietley, Dakota VanDerWege, John Angel Vega, Jr., Samuel Duke Victor, Darius Washington. Timothy Weaver, Alexia Wilcox, Perry Jason Winship III and Kaya Irie Yarbour.

Awards & Scholarships

Emily Benjamin – Ranked No. 7 in Class, Class of 2025 Girl of the Year Award, Cattaraugus County NHS Distinguished Service Award, Kiwanis Graduation Award, James L. Leary Memorial Award, Ray Evans Memorial Award, James J. Kaminski Scholarship, CCSE FCU-Rhinehart/Urbanski Memorial, SUNY Fredonia President’s Award for Excellence, SUNY Fredonia STEM Experience Grant, SUNY Fredonia Honors Award, Keuka College’s esteemed George H. Ball Community Achievement Award in 2024 and National Honor Society Distinguished Service Award.

Shawn Blakesslee – Special Instrumental Award for the trumpet and Edward John Memorial Award for the trumpet.

Ariyanah Bluntt – D’Youville University Dean’s Scholarship and the Julianne Creed Memorial Scholarship.

Ryanna Brady – Ranked No. 3 in Class, Kiwanis Graduation Award, Chautauqua Cattaraugus Board of Realtors Scholarship, Youth Citizenship Award, Cattaraugus County Outstanding Honor Society Member, Niagara University Trustees Scholarship, University of Rochester Awardee for the George Eastman Young Leaders Award 2024, 2025 CSEA Local 805 Barbara Corey Memorial Scholarship, New York State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Penny Brown Scholar/Athlete Memorial Award and the 44 and Me – Darren Ross Memorial Scholarship.

Mason Brewer – Salamanca Sons of the American Legion Post 535 and John F. Ahrens Post 5296 Patriot Award.

Avery Brown – Iroquois Post 1587 Legionnaires Scholarship.

Sherry Chen – Salutatorian, Daniel and Patrick McCarthy Scholarship, Cattaraugus County NHS Scholastic Excellence Award, RIT 2024 Business and Leadership Scholarship, Niagara Frontier Industry and Education Counsel Scholarship, Cornell University Grant, Cornell University Traditional Fellow Scholarship, College and Career Portfolio Scholarship, Salamanca Academic Booster Club and New York State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence.

Adam Clark – The Kyle Dowdy Sr. Award.

Kruz Coustenis – American Legion Boys State (2024), Doris Evans Feinberg Memorial Award, Class of 2023 Cindy Mohr Memorial Scholarship and Harry B. Rappoport Memorial Award.

Ava Crane – LIM College Scholarship and the Peter Doctor Memorial Indian Scholarship.

Squid Diaz – The Salamanca Warrior: The Shining Star Award.

Aubrey Domres – St. Bonaventure Provost Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Cabrini Scholarship, I. Beatrice Sultanik Memorial Award and the Leadership and Perseverance Award.

Skyla Dowdy – The Lehman “Dar” Dowdy Award.

Summer Downey – Ranked No. 5 in Class, Youth Citizenship Award, Doris Evans Feinberg Memorial Award, Kiwanis Graduation Award, H.C.A.C. Holy Cross Athletic Club Memorial Award, St. Bonaventure Bonnie Scholar Award 2024, St. Bonaventure Presidential Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Cabrini Scholarship, St. Marianne Cope Scholarship from St. Bonaventure, Keuka College’s esteemed George H. Ball Community Achievement Award in 2024, Timothy Ross Memorial Award, Andrea Celeste Morton Memorial Scholarship Award, Judith A. Toner Attendance Award, Kyle Stephen Scott Memorial Scholarship, CSCEA Local 805 Scholarship and Where Learners Become Leaders: The Future of Salamanca Scholarship.

Liam Hawkins – STEP Scholarship, The Salamanca Warrior: The Shining Star Award, CCSE FCU – Rhinehart/Urbanski Memorial, Where Learners Become Leaders: The Future of Salamanca Scholarship, John F. Ahrens #4296 Auxiliary Volunteer Award and Alfred Pioneer Award.

Jacob Herrick – Valedictorian, DAR Good Citizen Award Olean Chapter, Daughters of American Revolution, The BIG 30 Academic Award, Ray Evans Memorial Award, NFIEC College and Career Portfolio Interview Scholarship, Kiwanis Graduation Award, Salamanca Chapter NHS Leadership/Service Award, Nelson M. Beard Memorial Scholarship, Ann Liederbach Memorial Scholarship, Youth Citizenship Award September Business Student of the Month, Sommerfield Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Bonnie Scholar Award, St. Bonaventure Presidential Scholarship, Keuka College’s esteemed George H. Ball Community Achievement Award, Niagara Frontier Industry and Education Counsel Scholarship, Harry Nelson Baseball Award, Andrea Celeste Morton Memorial Scholarship Award, New York State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Mamie Rappaport Memorial Award, Penny Brown Scholar/Athlete Memorial Award, Cattaraugus County Youth of the Week, Where Learners Become Leaders: The Future of Salamanca Scholarship, Salamanca Legion Post 535 Graduation Award, Roger Crandall Male Warrior Pride Award, JCC College Connections Student of the Year and the Joelle Murdock Business Award.

Cory Holleran – Kiwanis Graduation Award, Frances Evans Memorial Award, James and Valerie Brundage Scholarship, Karl and Nicole Pryor/Corning Foundation Scholarship, Bernadette E. “Bernie” Taylor Memorial Scholarship, Salamanca Teachers Association Scholarship, Mark Chase Memorial Scholarship, Kyle Stephen Scott Memorial Scholarship, Holy Cross Athletic Club Memorial Award, 44 and Me Darren Ross Memorial Scholarship, Where Learners Become Leaders: The Future of Salamanca Scholarship and the John F. Ahrens #4296 Auxiliary Volunteer Award.

Maddox Isaac – John Carroll University Ignatian Award, John Carroll University Grant and the Andrew John Scholarship Award.

Zac Jimerson – John F. Ahrens #4296 Auxiliary Volunteer Award.

Kyle Lecceardone – Karl and Nicole Pryor/Corning Foundation Scholarship.

Madisyn Lafferty – St. Bonaventure Provost Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Cabrini Scholarship, St. Marianne Cope Scholarship, Class of 2023 Cindy Mohr Memorial Scholarship, Class of 1985 Scholarship, Kyle Stephen Scott Memorial Scholarship and the Karl and Nicole Pryor/Corning Foundation Scholarship.

Deaja Martinez – Colby Pitt Memorial Award.

Maylina Massagli – Youth Citizenship Award, Iroquois Post 1587 Auxiliary Title VI Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Bonnie Scholar Award 2024, St. Bonaventure Provost Scholar Award, St. Bonaventure Jandoli School of Communication Scholarship.

Jerry Miller – Ranked No. 9 in Class andSalamanca History Department Scholarship.

Izabella Milks – Ranked No. 8 in Class, October Business Student of the Month, RIT 2024 Women in STEM Scholarship, Timothy Ross Memorial Award, Karl and Nicole Pryor/Corning Foundation Scholarship and Thomas and Elenore DeBolski Scholarship.

Abigail Murphy – University at Albany – Multicultural High School Scholars Award for Outstanding Academic and Leadership Achievement, SUNY Fredonia True Blue Scholar Award, SUNY Fredonia ACE Scholarship, University of Rochester Awardee for the Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony for Social Justice Award in 2024, Arion Music Award, Floyd Bean Stage Band Music Award and Special Vocal Music Award.

Xavier Peters – Ranked No. 4 in Class, University at Albany – Multicultural High School Scholars Award for Outstanding Academic and Leadership Achievement, Phillip Evans Memorial Award, Kiwanis Graduation Award, Youth Citizenship Award, JCC College Connections Student of the year (2024), RIT 2024 Science and Math Scholarship, New York State Education Department Scholarship for Academic Excellence, John Philip Sousa Award, Salamanca Legion Post 535 Graduation Award, Roberts Wesleyan Trustee Scholarship, Roberts Wesleyan Athletic Scholarship.

Kailyne Pierce – Alfred State SUNY Tuition Credit Grant.

Kayleen Reyes – Class of 2023 Cindy Mohr Memorial Scholarship and Gerald J. Ackley Scholarship.

Jasmine Smith – Salamanca USBC Bowling Association Annual Scholarship Award and Helen Yaworski Memorial Scholarship Award.

Chloe Stanczykowski – CCB Award for Excellence In Leadership and Dennis Evans Memorial Award.

Cassidy Stewart – Alfred State Archery Scholarship.

Colton Taylor – STEAM Scholarship – The Klubek Woz ED STEM Scholarship.

Mikaela Tennity – Ranked No. 10 in Class and St. Bonaventure Bonnie Scholar Award 2024.

Zachary Trietley – Ranked No. 6 in Class, Class of 2025 Boy of the Year Award, Youth Citizenship Award, Two Joes Scholarship, Cutco Sons and Daughters Scholarship, RIT 2024 Humanities and Social Sciences Award, Allegheny College Merit Scholarship, Hobart Trustee Scholarship, Alfred University Merit Scholarship, Salamanca Area Historical Society and Museum – “The Roger and Frances Lord Volunteer Service Award,” the 44 and Me Scholarship – Darren Ross Memorial Scholarship, Ray Wass Memorial Scholarships sponsored by Salamanca Gridiron and Salamanca Legion Post 535 Graduation Award.

Dakota VanDerWege – St. Bonaventure Bonnie Scholar Award 2024 and Salamanca Class of 1963 Legacy Scholarship.

Samuel Victor – Salamanca Sons of the American Legion Post 535.

Timothy Weaver – St. Bonaventure Bonnie Scholar Award 2024.