‘Play to your strengths’: Old Rochester graduation celebrates class of 2026
Graduating students toss their caps in the air at Old Rochester Regional High School's commencement on Saturday, May 30. Photos by Grace Roche
Valedictorian Ella Milhench gives a speech. 
Families filled the gymnasium after the ceremony to celebrate the grads. 
Graduated students head out of the gym. 
The class of 2026 stands at the end of the ceremony. 
A graduate poses for a photo. 
The crowd cheered as the graduating class stood together. 
Students shake hands with school administrators and pose for photos during the ceremony. 
Students wait for their name to be called. 
Community members packed the gym for the indoor ceremony. 
Class President Caroline Houdelette speaks to the crowd and her classmates. 
Some grads decorated their caps.
Graduating students toss their caps in the air at Old Rochester Regional High School's commencement on Saturday, May 30. Photos by Grace Roche
Valedictorian Ella Milhench gives a speech.
Families filled the gymnasium after the ceremony to celebrate the grads.
Graduated students head out of the gym.
The class of 2026 stands at the end of the ceremony.
A graduate poses for a photo.
The crowd cheered as the graduating class stood together.
Students shake hands with school administrators and pose for photos during the ceremony.
Students wait for their name to be called.
Community members packed the gym for the indoor ceremony.
Class President Caroline Houdelette speaks to the crowd and her classmates.
Some grads decorated their caps.
MATTAPOISETT — Classmates, parents and friends came together Saturday, May 30 to celebrate the graduates of Old Rochester Regional High School’s class of 2026.
Among the 146 students who graduated Saturday were leaders, record breakers, athletes and artists, all of whom valedictorian Ella Milhench said have “accomplished their own unique versions of success.”
In Milhench’s speech to her classmates, she encouraged them to find their strengths and rely on them to find future success.
She said anyone who can discover their “encodings,” natural gifts like a good memory or creativity, and incorporate them into a “hedgehog,” the one fail-proof thing they’ve perfected like a hedgehog’s ability to protect itself, will be successful.
“Our grade serves as an amazing example of how discovering some of your encodings and then pursuing an appropriate hedgehog can lead to great achievement in a variety of ways, so keep doing what works for you and keep working on that one big thing,” she said.
Principal Michael Devoll said it was the accomplishments of this year’s class that inspired his graduation speech. When he put out a call seeking nominations for students who succeeded both academically and as positive role models, he said the results were overwhelming.
“This class was full of students who applied high levels of effort, were positive role models, and exemplified admirable character and accomplishments,” Devoll said.
He recognized the many accomplishments of these students, asking them to stand as he listed academic, career, athletic and other achievements.
Class President Caroline Houdelette reminded her fellow graduates even though high school came with high pressure to succeed, it meant they had people who believed in them.
“How lucky are we that people believe in us enough to expect something from us,” she said. “Pressure believes someone that sees potential in you.”
She said they will face pressure in their futures as well, but encouraged them to recognize it instead of running from it “because it means you're in a moment that matters.”
