Randolph Graduates Ready To Soar

Pictured are members of the Randolph High School Graduating Class of 2025.
RANDOLPH — The Randolph Central School District celebrated the Class of 2025 during its commencement ceremony on Friday. The evening was filled with reflections on the past and guidance on how to navigate the journey ahead.
The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Jason Halpainy, the high school principal. Halpainy recognized the opportunities ahead for the graduating class, noting that the students on stage would be the next generation of nurses, engineers, doctors, electricians, engineers, officers, therapists and more.
“I thought of two words that describe this group: it’s grit and dedication,” Halpainy said. “You left a significant mark on us, the community, the school. If you continue your hard work and dedication and strive to be the best version of yourself, I’m sure you will be successful in whatever path you go down.”
Kaine Kelly, the superintendent of the Randolph Central School District, delivered the opening remarks. Kelly praised the graduates, stating the class is defined by their energy, compassion and uncommon bond with one another.
“The world needs exactly who you guys are and what you’ve shown us to be,” Kelly said. “It needs your sense of community, and the world needs your kindness, and it needs your quiet strength. So wherever you go, whether it’s across the country or just across the street, carry those values with you. Be the kind of person who brings people together, who listens first and who acts with heart.”
A highlight of the evening was the address by Salutatorian Mia Volpe, daughter of Jacqueline and Brian Volpe. Volpe, who plans to study biological engineering (pre-med) at Hamilton College, encouraged her peers to pursue their aspirations. She drew inspiration from singer Taylor Swift’s journey to buy back the rights to her first six albums.
“I’m hoping that we all can use this story as motivation in our own lives,” Volpe said. “In only a few months, we will all be spread around the country. In a sense, we all get the chance to begin again. One more time, we are starting the cycle all over as freshmen who have so much of the world ahead of us. We will be witnessing new environments, new people, new classes and new experiences.”
Volpe stressed that hard work and dedication are key to achieving dreams. She pointed out that struggles and setbacks will help her classmates learn perseverance, confidence, determination and commitment. She also reminded them that graduation is just the beginning by citing poet Robert Browning.
“To me, ‘the best is yet to come’ is the idea that whether or not there is good in your life now, your future will be better,” Volpe said. “Looking forward to the future and thinking about the positive possibilities we may have will push us to try our best in all aspects of our life.”
Another highlight of the evening was the address from Valedictorian Madelia Griffith, daughter of Jamie Lynn and Rob Griffith. Ms. Griffith, who will attend Georgia Southern University for marketing, described graduation as turning the page on a new chapter in a book.
“The plot of your story keeps going and going and so must you,” Griffith said. “Relentless determination is key for success. It is important to deeply care, to work extremely hard and to know how much something truly means to you. Don’t focus on being perfect, but never stop working to continually improve.”
Griffith concluded her speech with a powerful message about legacy.
“Leaving a lasting legacy is about more than achieving great things,” she said. “When you treat others well and create a reputation of integrity, you’ll set a powerful example for those to come. With relentless determination and priceless character, you’ll be more than ready to fully embrace the limitless opportunities before you.”
The evening’s commencement address was delivered by Mr. John Stahley, vice president of Engineered Solutions for Fox Innovations and Technologies. Stahley, who graduated from RCS in 1984 and is an inaugural member of the district’s Wall of Fame, offered his insights and wisdom to the graduates.
“You have to make a lot of very, very big decisions in the next few years that are going to affect your life forever,” Stahley said. “What do you do next? If you go to college. Who do you marry or otherwise partner with? Where do you live? These are all huge decisions that usually get made in your 20s, and they impact the rest of your life. So I would urge you to think very carefully about what you want to do from this point forward.”
Stahley also offered some practical advice for the graduates as they enter the job market.
“It’s a competition out there, you’re going to be competing with other people for jobs and so forth, and you need to have an advantage,” he said. “You don’t have to be the smartest person in the room, but you have to bring something to the table that differentiates you from everybody else.”
During the awards portion of the ceremony, students were recognized for their academic achievements and contributions to the school community throughout their years at Randolph. Halpainy acknowledged those inducted into the National Honor Society, participating in the Student Council, completing Career and Technical Education programs through CA BOCES and receiving the Seal of Civic Readiness or Seal of Biliteracy. Dozens of awards and thousands of dollars in scholarships were then presented by School Counselor Robb Vogtli, as well as community members and local organizations.
The evening concluded with the presentation of diplomas by Kelly, Halpainy and Kyle Brown, a member of the RCS Board of Education. More than 60 students were handed their credentials, officially marking the Class of 2025’s transition to alumni. A reception in the Senior Center and the terrace followed the ceremony, with the graduates and their families celebrating this significant milestone.