RCSD valedictorians and senior scholars celebrated with large public poster and banner display at central library highlighting class of 2026 achievements

Rochester, New York – A quiet but meaningful celebration unfolded today at Rochester’s Central Library, where the achievements of the Rochester City School District’s Class of 2026 valedictorians and senior scholars were placed in public view through a large banner display honoring some of the district’s highest-performing students.

The event brought together city, county, and school leadership inside the Kate Gleason Auditorium, turning the library into a space of recognition and reflection. Large window banners featuring portraits of each student now line the building, each one paired with a secondary banner representing the student’s school. The display will remain visible throughout the summer, allowing visitors, families, and passersby to see the faces of academic excellence in the heart of the city.

The celebration was not just visual. It also included formal remarks from key leaders who gathered to acknowledge the effort, discipline, and persistence required to reach the top of their graduating class. Superintendent Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans, and Monroe County Executive Adam Bello each spoke about the importance of recognizing student success publicly and consistently.

Dr. Rosser emphasized both pride and purpose in the district’s decision to highlight its top students in such a visible way.

“We are incredibly proud of our Valedictorians and Senior Scholars, who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to reaching the top of their class,” said Dr. Eric Jay Rosser, Superintendent of Schools. “This banner display at the Central Library and the RCSD’s Central Office does more than honor their remarkable high school achievements; it introduces our city’s future leaders to the community they will help shape. I am deeply grateful for this meaningful opportunity to share the achievements of our students with the greater community.”

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His comments reflected a broader message throughout the event: academic success is not only a personal milestone but also a shared community achievement.

Mayor Malik Evans echoed that sentiment, focusing on inspiration and visibility. For him, the banners serve as more than decoration or recognition. They are a signal to younger students who walk through the city that success is possible and visible.

“Today, we celebrate a generation of young people who represent the very best of our community,” said Mayor Malik D. Evans. “The banners featuring these valedictorians in our library windows represent more than a tribute. They invite every student who walks past to see themselves in these achievements, to believe in their own potential, and believe that their own bright future is within reach.”

Monroe County Executive Adam Bello also highlighted the perseverance behind each student’s success, pointing out that reaching the top of a graduating class is the result of years of steady effort rather than a single moment of achievement.

“The Senior Scholars have distinguished themselves through years of hard work and determination, and Monroe County is proud to celebrate their achievements,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello. “As each scholar’s banner is displayed at the Central Library, it will serve as a reminder to our community of what is possible with unwavering perseverance. We look forward to seeing the impact these young leaders will have on our community in the years to come.”

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The honored students represent a wide range of Rochester high schools, reflecting the diversity of the district’s academic talent. Among those recognized are Kyle Markham of East High School, Natalia Newman of Edison Tech High School, Lisneris Bermudez Franco of James Monroe High School, Warren Gildea of Joseph C. Wilson High School Commencement Academy, and James Pichardo of Padilla High School at the Franklin Campus.

Other honorees include Ronan Schaefer of Rochester Early College International High School, Malek Alghadab of Rochester International Academy, V Burack of School of the Arts, Khalid Haji of School Without Walls Commencement Academy, and Nadia Lewis of World of Inquiry School No. 58. Each student’s banner now stands as a public acknowledgment of years of academic effort and personal commitment.

Library officials said the project has quickly become a community highlight. Emily Clasper, Director of the Rochester Public Library, noted that last year’s display generated strong public engagement, prompting organizers to continue and expand the initiative this year.

“We are proud to recognize the accomplishments of our RCSD scholars at the Central Library. These teens are leaders among their peers, who have worked hard, and deserve to be celebrated” said Emily Clasper, Rochester Public Library Director. “These banners were so widely celebrated last year, we knew we needed to replicate this event for 2026. We saw students posing with their school banner, alumni from schools posing, and proud families and friends of graduates taking pictures all summer long. Congratulations to the class of 2026, and don’t forget we’ve got plenty of study spaces in the library.”

Her remarks captured a more informal side of the celebration, one shaped by families taking photos, students gathering with friends, and alumni returning to reconnect with their schools through the display.

While the event itself was brief, the banners will remain in place throughout the summer months, turning the Central Library into a rotating gallery of student achievement. For many in the community, it offers a simple but powerful reminder: behind every banner is a student who worked through years of classes, exams, challenges, and milestones to reach this point.

As the Class of 2026 prepares for graduation and the next stage of their journeys, the city’s public recognition stands as both a celebration and a signal of expectation. These students are stepping forward not only as graduates, but as emerging leaders whose paths are just beginning to unfold.