Niskayuna’s 67th graduating class celebrated commencement on Wednesday, June 25, in a ceremony that featured music, recognition of distinguished alumni and reflection on the boundless possibilities that await the graduating members of the Class of 2025. The graduation ceremony took place at the MVP Arena in Albany, and marked retiring NHS Principal John Rickert’s final graduation as the school’s leader after more than 30 years working in the district.
In his welcome address to graduates, senior class president Caleb Coppola reflected on the passion and school spirit of the graduating class. He also shared sentiments of gratitude with friends and family members, as well as the faculty and staff at the high school for shaping their time there.
“Be strong and courageous,” Coppola said in closing.
Superintendent Carl Mummenthey acknowledged the significance of smartphones and artificial intelligence and how they played a role in shaping the senior class. He left the graduating class with this message:
“Remember that technology is a tool—but that our world hungers for a deeper sense of humanity and connectedness that can only be derived from authentic human engagement,” Mummenthey said.
During the ceremony, two alumni were inducted into the Niskayuna High School Hall of Fame. Each year, the induction takes place as part of commencement to recognize distinguished graduates who have made exceptional contributions in their respective fields.
- Dr. Joanna Burger, Class of 1959
- Seth Wyngowski, Class of 2008
The program included several outstanding musical performances by the Niskayuna High School Symphonic Band, Senior Chorale, Jazz Combo Club and members of the graduating class.
Officers from the Class of 2025 presented the class gift, money for a scholarship to benefit future Niskayuna High School graduates.
Graduation by the numbers
- 337 Graduates from the Cohort (331 Diplomas and 6 Credentials)
- 97.9% Cohort Completion Rate (337 total)
- 96.22% Building Score (per state)
- 206 students out of 344 earned Regents with Advanced Distinction (59.88%)
- 284 students out of 344 are attending a two-year or four-year college (82.55%)
- 23 Graduates are attending the highest rated colleges in the country (Yale, Cornell-2, Dartmouth, Georgetown, USC, Cal Berkeley, West Point-2, Naval Academy-2, Coast Guard Academy, MIT, NYU-Tisch, Purdue-3, Northwestern, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia, Rice, Wesleyan, and Johns Hopkins)62
- Graduates will be attending a SUNY school (including two-year)
- 110 Graduates earned a Seal of Bi-literacy
- National Merit Semi-Finalists and Finalists
- 26 Academic Medals
- 32 Graduates will be NCAA athletes at their college or university with 10 Division 1 athletes, including one full scholarship to West Point and one full scholarship to Coast Guard Academy
- 2 NYSMMA All-State Musicians and 3 Alternates
- 6 Graduates are pursuing performing arts or fine arts in college
- 5 Graduates are pursuing trade school or have full time employment
- 4 Graduates are enlisting into the Military
- 3 Graduates are attending Trade Schools
You can watch the entire 2025 Commencement Ceremony on our YouTube channel.
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