Lenox, Mass. — Lee High School's class of 2026, the smallest since 1938, giving them the name "small but mighty," honored one of their own Wildcats who could not walk the stage with them Saturday.

They dedicated the graduation ceremony in memory of Jayden Emry Andre, who died in an automobile accident in 2024 at the age of 15. He had just completed his sophomore year.

Each graduate placed a yellow rose in a vase on one of the chairs on stage as they walked across. During the ceremony, Principal Gregg Brighenti gave Andre's family a diploma for him and the vase of flowers.

"Much has been said in the days and weeks after July 2, 2024 about the kind of person Jayden was, and all of us who knew him will always remember his heart and his laugh. As I read somewhere once, and this is true, it is comforting to know that out there in deep space, because of the way things were light years away, this planet can be watched with Jayden still on it," he said.

He said Andre will always be a part of the Wildcat family.

Families, friends, and faculty gathered under the Shed at Tanglewood to celebrate the 39 graduates on their accomplishments and their future.

Superintendent Michael Richard told the graduates to "never settle with good when great is possible," and to keep learning, growing, and showing up for others.

"Remember this: your ability to form and maintain meaningful relationships will be one of the most important measures of your success. Be the person others can trust, be the person who shows up, be the person who listens before judging, helps before asking, and treats people with dignity, even when it is difficult. In a world that can sometimes feel rushed, divided, and impersonal," he said. "The ability to build genuine connections is not a small thing. It is a strength, it is leadership, it is character."

Salutatorian Nox Colello compared the class to a quilt woven with squares from memories, traits, and influences while reminiscing on memories from middle and high school.

"One thing that I want all of you to take away as you move into the next chapter of your lives is that we do not become who we are in isolation. Every friend who supports us, every teacher who inspires us, and every family member who loves us adds a new patch to our design, altering our pattern for the better, we are all living, breathing mosaics of everyone we have ever loved, continuously growing and adding new panels to our story," they said.

Colello also mentioned Andre and how he will always be remembered, leaving a square in all of the graduate's quilts.

"While I may not have known Jayden well, even if I could see the impact he left. I remember in my seventh-grade Spanish class, Jayden would always be cracking jokes or smiling, and it became a running joke that every time he came back from the bathroom, his phone flashlight would be on in his pocket," they said. "I don't know how it kept happening, but it did, but looking back, maybe it was just a reminder of the light he brought into every room he walked into.

"Many of us were blessed to get to call Jayden our friend, others a classmate, but he was an illuminating presence in everyone's lives, and I know that his memory will live on through all of us."

Valedictorian Isabella Hall thanked all of the faculty and parents for helping to bring them to the stage that day. 

She reflected on the importance of finding joy and unity throughout your life, giving everyone her mantra "let the sun shine" from the musical "Hair," speaking on moments from their time at school that made the sun shine.

"There is so much in life that is out of our control. It often feels like the world is falling apart, and it's easy to get stuck in the dark," Hall said. "The only thing that we can do is try to let the sun shine through. Those four words are a call for peace in turbulent times, togetherness and disconnection, hope and despair, harmony, and dissonance, to let the sun shine is to unite, to come together, and to find a little ray of hope to keep pushing forward."

She led a moment of silence for Andre and other family and friends who were not able to be there.

Brighenti noted their small but mighty size and encouraged the class to explore the world -- off the internet --  and enjoy what it has to offer before it's gone, adding that fireflies might disappear in the near future.

"That's why I want to encourage you, seniors, soon to be graduates to not just experience the fireflies at night, but experience all the incredible things that this world has to offer you," he said, mentioning many ways to experience the world through waterfalls, hikes, canyons, the stars, and more adventures.

"And remember ... the most important day is tomorrow. Tomorrow you tackle what went wrong today. Tomorrow you improve, every day, every tomorrow you get better. You may be small in number, class of '26 but you are mighty," the principal said. "Each and every one of you on this stage today is sufficient within yourself to meet the challenges before you, whatever flags you march under, be it the stars and stripes, rainbows, that of your ancestors, all of the above, and more. Go out there and live lives of promise and purpose.

"Remember that tomorrow is another day, another chance to start over, and keep making us proud."

The traditional ivy oration was given by graduate Madelyn Kotek to David Carlino of the class of 2027.

The band played the march of the seniors, and the march of the graduates and the national anthem. The School chorus sung "In My Life" by The Beatles.

Graduating Class of 2026
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