Drury High Names Valedictorian, Salutatorian for Class of 2026
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Drury High School has named the top students for the class of 2026.
Valedictorian Brayden Michael Canales and salutatorian Carson Daniel Rylander will speak at graduation ceremonies on Thursday, June 4, at 6 p.m. at the high school.
Canales, son of Jason and Jill Canales of North Adams, will graduate from Drury with an overall grade point average of 4.3. He has taken advantage of the opportunity to take early college courses through Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, finishing high school with 33 college credits.
In addition to his impressive list of college courses, he has rounded out his transcript with several Advanced Placement and project-based learning courses. He has been inducted into both the Nu Sigma and Pro Merito Honor Societies, has been awarded a Principal's Award for having a top five average in his class for four consecutive years and received the Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology Award for Science and Math as a junior.
Outside of the classroom, Canales continues to go above and beyond. He is a valuable member of the varsity soccer, hockey and baseball teams, and this year was awarded the Berkshire County Ice Hockey Officials Association Sportsmanship Award for his leadership. In addition to sports, he is a Student Ambassador, a peer mediator, has participated in Cultural Appreciation Day through the local court system, and has participated in Drury's Portrait of a Graduate work. He has also volunteered his time with youth sports in the community and was honored with the Berkshire County Scholar Athlete Award this spring for his leadership.
Canales plans to attend a RPI to major in architecture and pursue a career in that field.
Rylander, the son of Roland Rylander and Bobbie-Jo Gallagher of Adams, will graduate with a 4.2 GPA and will have earned 21 college credits during his time at Drury. He rounded out his transcript with several Advanced Placement and project-based learning courses.
He earned the Principal's Award for having a top five GPA, received the St. Michael's College Book Award and was inducted into both the Nu Sigma and Pro Merito Honor Societies for his academic achievements.
Outside of the classroom, Rylander has been a key player on the baseball team, serving as one of the senior captains and helping to carry the team to their many athletic achievements. He has been a Student Ambassador, volunteers with local youth sports organizations with coaching and umpiring, has been a member of Drury's Pep Club and has participated in several service activities through the school.
Rylander will attend Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where he will major in business and be a member of the baseball team.
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