Frontier High School honored 290 graduates of the Class of 2026 during the school’s 75th annual Commencement Program June 27 at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo.

“Graduates, there is something I hope you remember long after this evening is over. It is a lesson that no textbook can teach and no exam can measure,” said Superintendent Christopher J. Swiatek. “Know your worth. Not your GPA, not your social media followers, not your job title, not the college you attend, not the amount of money you eventually earn. Your worth comes from who you are – your character, your integrity, your compassion, your work ethic and your willingness to make the world just a little better than you found it.”

Principal Joseph Ciesielski Jr. channeled legendary Buffalo Bills Coach Marv Levy when he asked the graduates: “Where would you rather be, than right here, right now.”

“To the Frontier High School Class of 2026, congratulations,” Ciesielski said. “This is a class that cares deeply about one another, takes pride in the school, and understands that success is rarely achieved alone.”

“As you leave here today, remember this. The world you are entering needs your ideas, your compassion, your resilience, your leadership, your willingness to work hard, and your hope,” Ciesielski added.

Valedictorian Kaylyn Wylie spoke about the importance of never giving up, no matter how hard the struggle. Wylie competed in gymnastics for several years and said there was a particular routine on the uneven parallel bars that terrified her. Despite years of frustration, she persevered and was finally able to perform the routine in front of judges without hesitation.

“I had spent years working through something that once felt impossible,” Wylie said. “What I’m most proud of isn’t the routine itself. It’s the confidence and resilience I gained from refusing to let fear make my decisions for me. It took four gymnastics seasons for me to stand here today and realize something I should have understood much sooner: Dedication is our most valuable resource.”

Salutatorian Mathias Hasselback spoke about the Frontier community and its effect on the class.

“When we look back on our time here, I doubt any of us will remember our exact GPAs and or test scores,” Hasselback said. “What we will remember are the people. We’ll remember the teachers who stayed after school to help us. We’ll remember teammates who pushed us to be better, friends who made us laugh when we needed it most, and classmates who somehow managed to make even the longest school days possible.”

Class President Brooke Heeter spoke about the class’s journey from kindergarten through graduation, and all that entailed.

“Standing here today feels surreal because this is the moment we have been looking toward for years – 13 years to be exact,” Heeter said.

“These years are the years that we will never forget, not because they were perfect, but because they shaped us into who we are becoming,” said Heeter, who also presented the class gift. “We might all feel like we are done growing, but we all have a way to go.”

“Never forget where your journey began. No matter where life takes you, you will always be a Falcon,” Ciesielski concluded. “And if you ever need support, guidance, encouragement or simply a place to call home, know that the door to Frontier High School will always be open to you. We believe in you, we are proud of you, and we cannot wait to see all that you can accomplish.”

Michael Nappo, who ranked fourth in the class and served this past school year as an Ex-Officio Board of Education member, was Master of Ceremonies while Ava Low, a volleyball standout and presenter at the recent League of Distinguished Alumni Banquet, led the Pledge of Allegiance. Senior members of the Frontier High School Concert Choir and Treble Club performed the National Anthem.