Aaron Leeper

One of the most decorated athletes in Jamestown High School history will deliver the keynote address at commencement exercises on Friday, June 20 at the Chautauqua Institution Amphitheater.

Aaron Leeper, Class of 2001, currently serves as Assistant Federal Security Director for Law Enforcement for the Federal Air Marshal Service.

“It’s a true honor to welcome Aaron back home as the keynote speaker for this year’s Commencement ceremony,” said Allyson Smith, JHS principal. “Aaron’s legacy as a standout on the JHS football field is fondly remembered, but it’s his journey beyond Jamestown — marked by resilience, growth, and achievement — that makes him such an inspiring figure for our graduates. We’re proud to have him return to celebrate this milestone with the Class of 2025.”

During his senior year, Leeper delivered one of the most remarkable football seasons in New York State history. In 2000, he rushed for 2,276 yards, scored 47 touchdowns, and tallied 282 points — setting state records for touchdowns and points, and a Western New York record for rushing yards. He was named New York State Class AA Player of the Year, USA Today’s New York State Player of the Year, and received both the Connolly Cup and Ron Pitts Award. A standout on both sides of the ball, he also recorded 38 tackles and five interceptions as a defensive back, including two returned for touchdowns. Leeper earned a Division I football scholarship to the University at Buffalo, where he made an immediate impact. As a freshman, he rushed for 917 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning Mid-American Conference (MAC) Rookie of the Year honors in 2002. He was inducted into the Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame earlier this year.

“Returning to Jamestown High School as the keynote speaker is deeply meaningful to me,” said Leeper. “It is a full-circle moment, to stand before the very community that shaped me and supported me every step of my journey. I am truly grateful for the unwavering encouragement I received growing up in Jamestown and throughout my college years at the University at Buffalo. This opportunity to give back and inspire the next generation is an honor I don’t take lightly”

Leeper earned a bachelor’s degree from UB and later a master’s degree from Canisius College. He went on to join the Federal Air Marshal Service in 2010, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he has logged more than 2.2 million air miles and demonstrated expertise in national security, law enforcement and counterterrorism. He now resides in Bayside, New York, with his family.