STEAM Academy graduates encouraged to innovate, lead and shine bright

Members of the Mount Vernon STEAM Academy Class of 2026 were reminded Thursday that the curiosity, creativity and critical thinking they developed over four years will serve as the foundation for lives of purpose and impact.

Families, friends, faculty and administrators filled the auditorium of Mount Vernon High School, where STEAM Assistant Principal Anjanette Brown served as master of ceremonies for a celebration that honored academic achievement, as well as the collaborative spirit that defines the school’s experience.

View the full gallery from the ceremony here!

The ceremony opened with the Pledge of Allegiance led by class Vice President Ariel Mussington before Salutatorian and Class President DanaMarie Galindo welcomed those in attendance.

DanaMarie acknowledged that graduation marks the beginning of new journeys filled with unfamiliar faces and new opportunities. While recognizing the uncertainty that accompanies such transitions, she encouraged her classmates to move forward with confidence.

“The future will always hold uncertainty,” she said. “But I encourage each of us to believe.”

Following a rousing performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by vocalist Jhori Stallworth, music teacher Jalissa Faust earned enthusiastic applause for her moving harmonica rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the Black National Anthem.

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawn Patterson-Howard congratulated the graduates while reflecting on her own graduation four decades earlier. Comparing the vastly different world of 1986 with today’s rapidly changing landscape shaped by technology, artificial intelligence and globalization, she challenged graduates to seize the opportunities before them.

“Let this be your teen takeover,” Mayor Patterson-Howard said. “Charge your future, strengthen your family, uplift your community, start businesses, continue your education and make a difference. Don’t just chase paper -- chase goals, chase making a difference.”

Board of Education President Dr. Donna Marable assured graduates that wherever life leads them, Mount Vernon will always be home.

“No matter where you go, no matter how far you go, no matter what you dream or become, we are here for you,” she said before encouraging the graduates with the fitting message, “Full STEAM ahead.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Demario Strickland reflected on spending time throughout the year in STEAM Academy classrooms, watching students tackle complex problems, collaborate with classmates and compete in activities such as the school’s successful Mock Trial program.

He noted that the academy’s emphasis on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics extends far beyond mastering individual subjects.

“(They) were never just five separate subjects you sat through,” Dr. Strickland said. “They were five different ways of teaching you the same underlying thing — how to look at a problem that doesn’t yet have an answer and work toward one anyway.”

Whether solving engineering challenges, creating works of art or preparing legal arguments in Mock Trial competitions, he said, students have spent four years learning to confront uncertainty with patience, creativity and determination.

“You’ll be carrying something that doesn’t depend on this address,” he told graduates. “The ability to face something hard, uncertain or unfamiliar and work through it with patience and care.”

Ms. Stallworth returned to the stage for a heartfelt performance of “The Climb” before Ms. Brown invited the audience to observe a moment of silence in memory of student Zyaire Fernandez, creating one of the ceremony’s most emotional moments.

Principal Dr. Christopher Pearce then recognized retiring staff members before inviting teachers, counselors, administrators, office personnel, custodians, security officers and support staff to stand together near the stage. The audience responded with sustained applause in appreciation of the educators and employees whose dedication helped guide students to graduation.

“Every lesson taught, every word of encouragement, every challenge addressed and every opportunity provided has helped our graduates reach this important milestone,” Dr. Pearce said.

DanaMarie returned to the podium later in the ceremony to deliver her salutatorian address, thanking the teachers and family members who inspired her to pursue a future in law while remaining true to herself. Speaking in both English and Spanish, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to her parents and encouraged Hispanic students to pursue higher education regardless of obstacles.

She centered her remarks on the importance of honesty — both with others and with oneself — sharing how overcoming personal fears allowed her to embrace leadership opportunities, build lasting friendships and step outside her comfort zone.

“The opportunities I am most grateful for only happened because I was willing to be uncomfortable,” she said. “I stopped waiting for the perfect moment and started taking chances despite the fear.”

She challenged her classmates to avoid letting fear or the opinions of others dictate their futures.

Valedictorian Anisah Khan reflected on the determination, resilience and countless hours of hard work that carried the Class of 2026 to graduation. She thanked her teachers, friends and family for supporting her dream of attending New York University and pursuing a career in medicine.

“We, the Class of 2026, are built for greatness and will succeed,” Anisah said.

In his address, Dr. Pearce compared the graduating class to a constellation of stars, each student possessing unique talents while collectively creating something extraordinary.

Like stars formed under tremendous pressure, he said, graduates have grown stronger through challenges, setbacks and perseverance. He reminded them that stars have long served as guides for travelers navigating uncertain journeys and encouraged students to let the values, friendships and lessons developed at STEAM Academy serve as their own guiding lights.

“Keep looking up. Keep shining. And never forget how far your light can travel,” he said. “Congratulations to the stellar Class of 2026.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Naeema Burgess, psychologist and founder of Giving Hope, inspired graduates with a deeply personal message about resilience, discipline and discovering one’s purpose.

Growing up in a single-parent household in rural North Carolina, Dr. Burgess described overcoming obstacles, including earning her doctorate while managing ADHD and repeatedly taking professional board examinations before achieving success.

View the full gallery from the ceremony here!

Displaying a childhood graduation photo and wearing the doctoral gown she earned 13 years ago, she reminded students that today’s accomplishments are only the beginning of what is possible.

“You are not average,” she told the graduates. “You were trained to solve, to create, to innovate.”

She challenged students to become not only successful professionals but also whole individuals of strong character and integrity.

“The sky is not the limit,” Dr. Burgess insisted. “We’ve already gone beyond the sky. Your fear is the limit. Your excuses are the limit. Your unwillingness to grow is the limit. If you remain disciplined, protect your character and learn how to get back up after failure, there is no limit to where your life can go.”

The ceremony concluded as Dr. Pearce formally presented the Class of 2026 to Dr. Strickland, who officially declared them graduates before the Board of Education.

One by one, the members of the Class of 2026 strode across the stage to receive their diplomas as they became the school’s newest alumni. At the direction of Dr. Strickland, they cheerfully turned their tassels from right to left in the powerful symbol of academic achievement.