Pictured are Randolph Academy students who took part in a graduation ceremony Wednesday at the Randolph campus. Between the Randolph and Hamburg campuses, 17 seniors received their diplomas Submitted photo

RANDOLPH — Randolph Academy celebrated its graduating seniors this week.

Dozens of teachers, administrators, board members, family members and classmates cheered on the 17 seniors who received their diplomas, including nine at its Hamburg campus in an early afternoon ceremony and eight at its Randolph campus in the early evening. Regents diplomas were awarded to 59% of the graduates, while 41% earned local diplomas.

Superintendent Lori DeCarlo led the Wednesday’s ceremonies, which featured Keynote Speaker Pete Hill, a member of the Cayuga Nation and special initiatives coordinator for Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties Inc. Hill has worked with NACS for 28 years, having developed successful programs in the areas of youth development, health and wellness promotion, staff and organizational capacity, and integrating Native American cultural perspectives into program design, delivery and evaluation.

An experienced trainer who has delivered hundreds of cultural competency teachings for a wide array of organizations, government agencies and community groups, Hill has been recognized several times for his work in helping the community move beyond the impact of historical traumas and related factors that have negatively impacted the inter-generational health and vitality of Native Americans. He has provided weekly culture building and personal development sessions at Randolph Academy’s Hamburg campus for two years, making a significant personal investment in these students.

Ninety-four percent of this year’s graduates were day school students, while 6% were residential students served by the district’s New Directions Youth and Family Services partner at its Randolph campus. Thirty-five percent of the Class of ’21 plans on attending college; another 35% intends to go on to trade school; 24% plans to enter the workforce directly; and 6% is still evaluating their options.