VERNON TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Sussex County) — Vernon Township High School celebrated a milestone Friday as it honored the Class of 2026 during the school’s 50th commencement ceremony.
Family members, friends, faculty, staff, Board of Education members and community supporters gathered June 26 to celebrate the graduating seniors as they crossed the stage and officially became Vernon Township High School alumni.
The ceremony opened with a performance by the Vernon Township High School Band, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.
In her commencement address, Principal Lindsay LeDuc Young reflected on the significance of the school’s 50th graduation ceremony and her connection to the Class of 2026.
“You are the first class I had the privilege of watching from the very first day to the very last one,” Young told graduates. “I remember seeing you as freshmen, wide-eyed and beginning a new chapter. Over the years, I have watched you take the stage, fill auditoriums, compete on athletic fields, and create memories that have left a lasting mark on this school.”
Young encouraged graduates to embrace the present as they begin the next chapter of their lives.
“We live in a world that celebrates what’s next, the next goal, the next title, the next destination,” Young said. “But the truth is, this is life. It’s right here. It’s right now. Don’t sprint through your life. Walk it, feel it, be present in it.”
The ceremony recognized Elizabeth Peek as valedictorian and Uriah Sacdalan as salutatorian. Both received medals honoring their academic achievements.
Graduates Joseph Mancini and Zyon Taylor also were recognized for their commitment to military service.
In her address, Sacdalan reflected on the meaning of home and community.
“Regardless of how long we have been here, we made our homes. We found them in other people, and I can say with confidence that I found my home with all of you,” Sacdalan shared.
Encouraging her classmates to build welcoming communities, she added, “A true home isn’t just where you feel accepted, it’s a space where others feel accepted too. Let’s be the architects of that warmth for others.”
Class President Luka Savytskyy reflected on the experiences that shaped the graduating class, including the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Our class experienced something no one expected. We had to change the way we learned, but even through that, we kept going and found our way here,” Savytskyy said. “We are not just celebrating graduation; we are carrying with us all the little memories that made these years ours.”
Valedictorian Elizabeth Peek encouraged classmates to recognize their own accomplishments and value.
“The most important accolade is believing you have value in yourself and in your personal strengths,” Peek said. “Take each milestone, each win, and give it the recognition it deserves. Give yourself the recognition you deserve, believe in yourself, and know your worth.”
Superintendent of Schools Eveny De Mendez reminded graduates that success and adversity often go hand in hand.
“Two things can be true at the same time,” De Mendez said. “Do the work, develop the discipline, and lean into kairos. Become ready for what you hope comes and free enough to receive what you did not expect, because together they will open doors.”
The ceremony concluded with a performance of the Vernon Township High School Alma Mater by Juliette Jalbert, Liam Kelter, Jake Remington and Thomas Kimball.
Board of Education President Jennifer Pellet also congratulated the graduates, recognizing the many paths students took to reach commencement and celebrating the diverse talents and experiences of the Class of 2026.
