On Thursday, June 25, the BH-BL community will come together to celebrate the accomplishments and successes of the 237 students making up the Class of 2026 as they perform their last act as high school seniors–walking across the SPAC stage to receive their diploma. Ironically, that is also one of the last acts of retiring Superintendent Dr. Patrick McGrath who will be handing each graduate their diploma.
Leading the Class of 2026 is Valedictorian Adalynn Wood and Salutatorian Elizabeth Abdoo.
Valedictorian Adalynn Wood plans to major in nursing this fall at Nazareth University. Along with earning 35 college credits while in high school, Wood is the recipient of the Nazareth University Honors Scholarship, the Suburban
Scholastic Council Excellence in Leadership Award, the BH-BL Women’s Club Scholarship, the Sheepskin Award, the Principal’s Award, the BH-BL Outstanding Junior Award, the BH-BL Academic Achievement Award (three times), the NYS Board of Regents Scholarship for Academic Excellence, the Clarence Fritz Neumann Scholarship from the Knights of Columbus, the Bill Shrader, Sr. Memorial Scholarship from the Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club, the Dr. John R. MacElroy Memorial Scholarship, the Richard H. O’Rourke Middle School PTA Community Service Award, the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, and the Academic Honors Award.
Wood was on the high honor roll all through high school and was a member of National Honor Society, Science and Math Honor Societies, Science Club and participated in the Leadership Training Program. She was also on the Varsity Volleyball team and the Varsity Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field teams where she was a two-year Captain. Wood was also named a two-time New Balance Nationals All-American in the Sprint Medley Relay, earned a New York State Champion title in the 4×400 relay, and was a three-time NYS Federation Champion in the 4×400 relay. She was also named a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete.
While Wood’s favorite class this year is Child Psychology, her favorite subject has always been science, thus leading her to study nursing.
When not hitting the books, Wood can be found perfecting her track skills in preparation for competing on the Nazareth University Women’s Track and Field team. She also enjoys family vacations, shopping, and getting Starbucks with her friends.
When asked how it felt to learn she was named the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, she said: “I was honestly shocked when I found out and it didn’t even feel real at first. Now that it has finally sunk in, I’m feeling incredibly grateful for this recognition.”
Wood also credits her family for helping her achieve her accomplishments and for being her motivation to keep giving it her best, saying, “My family has encouraged me to work hard, but has also made sure I knew that my academic and athletic achievements are only one small part of who I am. They have helped me become a well rounded person and find a comfortable balance in my life.”
As a soon-to-be graduate looking back and seeing future graduates on the same track, Wood advises: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Nobody has all the answers and no one expects you to figure everything out on your own. I’ve had many helpful and supportive teachers along the way. You are surrounded by people who are there to help you and want you to succeed.”
Salutatorian Elizabeth Abdoo will attend Binghamton University in the fall to study biochemistry with the goal of becoming a Science Researcher
specializing in drug discovery. She was also accepted into the University’s First-Year Research Immersion Program as well as the Scholars Program.
Along with earning 43 college credits in high school, Abdoo was also the recipient of several awards including the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award from the University of Rochester, the Board of Education Recognition Academic Achievement Award for all four years of high school, the BH-BL Academic Achievement Award, the Language Department Award (Chinese), the NYS Board of Regents Scholarship for Academic Excellence, the J. Eugene Van Vranken Memorial Award, the Principal’s Award, the Francis L. Stevens PTA Scholarship, the BH-BL Honor Society Scholarship, the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, and the Academic High Honors Award.
Abdoo was on the high honor roll all four years of high school and is a member and officer for the National Honor Society, a member of the Science, Math and World Language Honor Societies, was President of Science Club and a member of Model United Nations. She was also a year-round Varsity Rowing team member and earned state championship titles in two different rowing competitions and placed fourth at the National Championships. She also competed in the Youth Nationals in Florida in mid June.
It’s no surprise that Abdoo’s favorite classes this year were chemistry and biology, which she says is part of why she is pursuing a career in those two fields. “Science is just so interesting,” she says. “And while I have so many teachers that I love, two of my favorite teachers have been Mrs. Tolan and Mr. Watts.
Mr. Watts has been my Chemistry teacher for both Honors Chemistry, and AP Chemistry. He helped grow my love for science, and is part of why I am choosing to pursue a career in Biochemistry. I have also worked closely with him for Science Club, and it has always been great talking to him about my future in science. Mrs. Tolan was my teacher for both AP World and AP Government, and she is also the advisor for Model UN. She is an amazing teacher and made my other classes and Model UN so intriguing and enjoyable.”
When not in a science lab or on the water, Abdoo enjoys hanging with friends and going out for coffee. She also works as a barista at Starbucks in Saratoga.
Upon learning she is the Class of 2026 Salutatorian, Abdoo said: “I was so excited. I have worked so hard and put so much of my time and energy into studying and doing homework, I am happy that all of my work paid off. I knew it was going to be a very hard and close race for the spots of valedictorian and salutatorian, as there are many incredibly dedicated and smart kids in our grade. I am really happy that I was able to be named salutatorian.”
Abdoo credits her family support for her notable accomplishments saying, “My parents have had the biggest influence on my life. They are the ones who have encouraged me to do well in my education and have provided me with so many opportunities throughout my life. They make sure I am able to do everything I want to do, and are there to support me through all of it. Whether sitting through long ceremonies, or spending hours at a race course just to watch me race for five minutes, they have been there for everything. Their main priority is my happiness, and they are proud to support me in everything I do and whatever path I choose to take in the future.”
She bestows the following words of wisdom upon underclassmen: “Don’t be afraid to have fun. Even though you might think grades are important, don’t miss out on fun things or forget to live life because you are worried about homework, tests, or grades. Having fun is what has actually kept me as motivated and driven as I was. We are all still kids, which we won’t be forever, so be a kid and have fun.”