Middletown High School celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 at Gaudet Field on Saturday, June 13, capping the seniors’ high school careers with a ceremony rich in student voices and musical tradition.
Principal Donna Sweet welcomed graduates, families and guests to the commencement, which featured a program shaped largely by students. Nour Chamseddine, a member of the Class of 2027, served as master of ceremony.
The ceremony opened with preludes from the Middletown High School Band, including Frank Ticheli’s “Loch Lomond” and Frank Erickson’s “Air for Band,” followed by the processional to Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance.” The Middletown High School Chorus performed the national anthem, and Salutatorian and class President Lila Christy led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Greetings followed from School Committee Vice Chairperson Wendy Heaney and Superintendent of Schools William Niemeyer. Chloe Tysor introduced guest speaker Anna Burnley, who delivered the address. Students remained at the center of the program throughout, with Katherine Chisholm introducing the Collective Student Voice delivered by Aliza Brennan, and Wayne Chapman introducing the Voice of the Graduates given by Louai Alsharabi. Sweet delivered the principal’s address.
The chorus also performed “Remember Me,” and the band played Pyotr I. Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” before the presentation of diplomas, with each graduate receiving a diploma from a staff member of their choosing. Stella Gray led the turning of the tassel, and the ceremony closed with the recessional, again to Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Many graduates wore cords and tassels signifying their achievements, including the National Honor Society, the French Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, the Rhode Island Honor Society, Project Lead the Way, Student Council, Student Government, and recognition for completing 100 or more community service hours.
At a separate Scholarships and Awards ceremony held Wednesday, June 10, dozens of seniors were recognized with local scholarships and academic honors from organizations across Newport County, including the Picerne Family Foundation, BankNewport, the Kiwanis Club of Newport, the Alliance Française of Newport and numerous memorial scholarships.
With diplomas in hand, Middletown High School’s Class of 2026 takes its place among the school’s alumni, ready to carry forward the academic, civic and social foundation the school works to instill in its students.
