The students of San Miguel Academy’s Class of 2026 finished their middle school careers with celebration at the commencement ceremony on Friday, May 29th. The graduating class was made up of fourteen students, though two were not present, as they had transferred into their chosen high school programs early.

 

The graduating class was composed of: Katerin Augustin attending Newburgh Free Academy, Alexander Cruz attending Church Farm School, Micah Fisher attending Tampa Catholic High School, Diyani Garcia attending St. Benedict’s Prep, Adrian Gonzales attending Mount Academy, Nick Hernandez attending St. Benedict’s Prep, Daniel Mejia attending St. Benedict’s Prep, Jaylen O’Neal attending Milton Hershey School, Melissa Pineda attending Miss Hall’s school, Mikaella Ramos attending Mount Academy, Nancy Ramos-Moya attending Mount Academy, Kenya Soriano attending Mount Academy, Osmar Torres attending St. Benedict’s Prep, and Cassius Vasquez attending Mount Academy.

 

The ceremony was full of San Miguel alumni, some more recent and from further in the past. The pledge of allegiance was led by Lieutenant Luis Jimenez, a graduate of San Miguel’s Class of 2013. One of the school’s first female graduates after it went co-ed in 2020, Janelli Garcia from the Class of 2022, gave a speech at the commencement as well. 

 

The day’s main commencement address was delivered by San Miguel alumnus of the Class of 2011, and member of the San Miguel board, Henry Garcia. Garcia talked about his time at San Miguel, and the way it continued to help him through his career. He told the graduating students “When the days get rough, and they will, remember why you’re doing (it all). If you’re not doing it for yourself, do it for your parents, do it for your classmates, for anyone in your family that means something to you, but ultimately if you find it within yourself that success will always grow.”

 

The commencement ceremony also provided the opportunity for the school to give out the year’s student awards. Osmar Torres was given the school’s JOY award, a character based award for students that put ‘Jesus first, others second, and themselves last.’ Diyani Garcia received the school’s Creed award, for overcoming adversity during her time as a student. Kenya Soriano got the Academic Achievement award, for her outstanding academic performance. Valedictorian Nick Hernandez also received the academy’s Grit and Grace award before giving his speech to the audience.

 

Members of the graduating class marched out, certificates and medals in hand to the sound of ‘Lean on Me’ from the San Miguel chorus, towards their futures.