2026

Caleb Hildenbrand is a 2026 graduate of Questar III and Germantown High School. He is the son of Marc and Nicole Hildenbrand. Caleb served as class president throughout his high school years at Germantown and was an active member and officer of the school Athletic Club. He achieved consistent honor and high honor roll grades over his high school years, along with awards for excellence in individual courses. Caleb was a member of the National Junior Honor Society and the National Technical Honor Society in 2025. At Questar III, he earned the 2024-2025 Master Carpenter Award. Caleb excelled in athletic pursuits, ranking as regional champion in 2025 and in the top ten NYS high school archers for four years. As a member of the Varsity Soccer team for four years, he served as team captain. He maintained three-year memberships on the Germantown Basketball and Baseball teams. He cited his most significant athletic success in competitive fishing at the state and national levels, having been named four-time NYS High School Champion and five-time NYS Junior Champion. He was the #1 NYS choice for the Bassmaster All-American Program in his Junior and Senior years. Caleb is a member of the Tivoli Firehouse. He plans to major in Fisheries and Wildlife Management at Paul Smith’s College.

Jacqueline Loucks is a 2026 graduate of New Lebanon High School. She is the daughter of Lola and Jeffrey Snyder. Throughout her high school years, Jacqueline volunteered in her school community with fund-raising projects and helped the Student Leadership Council to provide extras to students in need at Christmas time. She volunteered at the New Lebanon Library during her freshman year and then was employed at the library through the Columbia-Greene Community College Summer Youth Employment Program. Jacqueline credited her excellent work ethic to experiences working at a local pharmacy and at Lebanon Valley Speedway. Jacqueline earned Most Improved Students awards and was honored for Academic Excellence in Environmental Science. She was recognized as an Extraordinary Customer Care Service Champion of the Month. She also was on the High Honor Roll at New Lebanon. Jacqueline plans to attend McCann Technical School in North Adams, Massachusetts to study Medical Assisting. She also intends to pursue credentialing as a pharmacy technician. Jacqueline’s caring disposition and eagerness to succeed will help her achieve her academic goals.

Ellery Pierce is a 2026 graduate of Chatham High School. She is the daughter of Joshua and Leslie Pierce. Ellery placed in the top 5% of her class and is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Tri-M Music Honor Society. She took a wide variety of challenging courses including AP World History I and II, AP US History and five years of Spanish. As a senior, Ellery participated in the rigorous New Visions Pathways in Education. Music has been an important part of her high school experience. She participated in Orchestra, Choir, and Chamber Ensemble as well as both solo and small ensemble NYSSMA Festivals. She was selected for All County, Jazz All County and Area All State Festivals. Ellery served as both Secretary and President of the Student Government, participated in the Chatham Musicals, was a member of SADD (Students against Destructive Decisions) and was a valuable member of both the Varsity Soccer and Track and Field Teams. She attended both the HOBY Leadership Conference and the Questar Leadership Summit. She has given back to the community as a member of ZONTA and as a Counselor at the Crellin Summer Camp. Ellery has completed the necessary training for certification as a teacher assistant, and plans to attend SUNY Geneseo to major in Early Childhood and Childhood Education.

Violette Wallace is a 2026 graduate of Taconic Hills High School. She is the daughter of Christine Yerks. Sixth in her class, Violette is a member of the National Honor
Society and earned the AP Scholar Award. Her course load included AP World History, AP English, AP US History, as well as five years of Spanish. During her senior year, Violette participated in the rigorous New Visions Pathways in Education. At Taconic Hills, she was selected to serve as the student representative on the Taconic Hills Board of Education and participated in decisions that affect the entire student body. She also served as secretary of the Book Club and as a playground aide for elementary recess. She was a member of the Cheer Team. Other school-based activities included participation on the Library Advisory Committee, the Yearbook Club, the Cultural Immersion Club, and the Hiring Committee for the Assistant Superintendent of the Taconic Hills School District. Violette attended the HOBY Leadership Conference and mentored elementary students for the past three years. She plans to attend Hudson Valley Community College and to major in Education.

Max Leipham is a graduate of Germantown High School, where he placed third in his class at the end of his high school years. He is the son of Jennifer and Alan Leipham. Max served as treasurer of the National Honor Society and president of both the Performing Arts and Drama Clubs at school. He also served as president of the Gender Sexuality Alliance at GHS. A regular actor in GHS Drama Club productions, Max additionally performed at The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck Teens on Stage program in “Footloose” and “The Lightning Thief,” among other shows, over his high school years. Max was selected for Area All-State Chorus and All County Chorus. He attended the Hudson Valley Writers Program at SUNY New Paltz during the summer of 2025. Outside of school, Max worked as a camp counselor at the CENTER and at the Livingston Rec Park Summer Camp. He also worked for the Happie Bean coffee food truck. Max plans to attend Bard College next year.

Emma Nelson is the 2026 valedictorian at Ichabod Crane High School. She is the daughter of Isaac and Christine Nelson. Emma is a member of the National Junior and National Honor Societies and served on the student council and her class council. She performed with the Crane Acting Troupe since eighth grade, starring as Bert in “Mary Poppins” and Wednesday in “The Addams Family” among other roles. Along with acting, Emma performed in the district’s concert and jazz bands and sang in the select vocal jazz ensemble. She was a member of the Habitat for Humanity and Yearbook clubs. As for sports, Emma participated with the Kinderhook Basketball Association and was an assistant coach for the FC Columbia Soccer program. She volunteered at the Kinderhook Memorial Library and worked with Rise Against Hunger, a non-profit organization dedicated to ending hunger in other nations. Emma plans to enroll at Hamilton College to study Psychology and Music / Theater next year.

Pearl Turner is a 2026 graduate of Hudson High School who plans to study Political Science at the University of Georgia. She is the daughter of Jill and Morgan Turner. Pearl’s leadership is reflected in her roles as President of Hudson’s Mock Trial Team, Treasurer of the Class of 2026, and President of the National Honor Society. She also served on the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee. Her passion for swimming has earned her the role of Captain of Hudson’s Swim Team and a lifeguard position at Oakdale Lake. Pearl also volunteered her time helping at school events and held various jobs in the Hudson community. Pearl strives for academic excellence; she was on the High Honor Roll during her four-year high school career. She earned several awards including the University of Rochester Young Leaders’ Award and the Art & Design Award. She was chosen as the DAR Good Citizens’ County Winner. She is the recipient of the NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Award. Her passion and intelligence will help her as she advances her education and pursues her academic goals.