The Belmont High School Class of 2026 will cross the stage on June 6, marking an end to their high school career.
For students, a high school diploma might be a ticket to a new chapter of their lives. For school leaders, it encapsulates 12 years of education and work to instill values, critical thinking, and modern skills, preparing students for success.
In Belmont, the school district has strived to adapt its classrooms to an ever-changing world, and while the Class of 2026 is ready to embark on new adventures, school officials say the work isn’t over.
Vision of a Graduate
When construction on the high school began in 2019, school leaders began discussions about what skills they wanted students to walk away with after graduation. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted those discussions, ultimately delaying the creation of the framework that now defines Belmont education.
In the fall of 2024, work to construct a “Vision of a Graduate” resumed.
Administrators, community members, families, students, and staff collaborated to discuss how the modern world is affecting student learning, what skills students need to thrive, and how instilling those skills and values can become a reality across the board. The district is now nearing the end of two years implementing the Vision of a Graduate.
“Since the development of the VOG, directors, principals, coordinators, and specialists have been working to share this vision with teachers and develop authentic tasks in each discipline that will ensure every child in the Belmont Schools has ample opportunity to learn and develop these skills,” Superintendent Jill Geiser said.
In high school, the Vision of a Graduate often emphasizes project-based learning and collaboration. An example of this is the annual capstone project for seniors, in which students spend the entire school year building toward a thesis or project on a particular subject of their choosing. This year, some students delved into the intricacies of current events, while others tackled personal art projects and music compositions.
Looking ahead, High School Principal Isaac Taylor said the district is assessing how the Vision has been implemented thus far, and how it can be expanded.
“It’s something that’s ongoing: how do we build the skills that students need to develop into a very traditional framework that exists within schools? That’s the challenge,” Taylor said.
For Taylor, the Vision of a Graduate means instilling vital skills for students that will help them succeed after high school, regardless of whether they choose to pursue higher education, emphasizing the importance of empathy in an increasingly technology-driven world.
“I really want them to have empathy for other people and understanding of different perspectives,” Taylor said. “I feel like it’s so easy to become siloed whenever we’re online, where the algorithms drive us into our silos, and so having a better understanding of other people’s perspectives, being able to communicate, and in particular … being able to compromise. I feel like that’s such an important skill now more than ever. That’s how we move things forward.”
Students Look Toward the Future
James Sacca played football for Belmont for three years before a serious knee injury put him on the bench his senior year. Now approaching graduation, he said he’s ready for what comes next.
“I can’t wait, I’m so excited. I’ve been working for this my whole life,” Sacca said.
After graduation, Sacca plans on taking a gap semester to travel to Ireland and Italy before enrolling at the University of Mississippi.
Adrianna Tziavas said the transition from elementary and middle school to high school was “rocky,” but four years later, she’s excited to cross the stage. A dedicated student set to study business at Bentley University in the fall, she also said taking the time to be with friends is essential.
“I feel like from freshman year to now, I’ve always worried about the small things, and, in the end, it’s such a small percentage of high school. To have a good balance between academics and also going out seeing your friends is really important,” Tziavas said.
For many students in Belmont, the pressure to succeed, to take on extracurricular activities and leadership roles while balancing their school work, can take its toll. Graduation may be bittersweet, but it also comes with a chance to relax.
“It’s going to be so much fun with all my friends this summer before we all go to college,” Tziavas said.
Mina Yildirim said high school taught her that there is no “perfect” outcome. She will be studying chemical engineering at Northeastern University.
“I think this year has made me realize that I don’t have to be like that and I can seek help, and that sometimes it’s okay to struggle,” Yildirim said.
For the Class of 2026, the excitement is undeniable. But when they turn their tassels, a new chapter also means saying goodbye to the people and experiences that have shaped their lives so far.
“Growing up, I was always so excited, and I always thought, ‘I can’t wait to graduate, I can’t wait to be done with high school, I can’t wait to move on to college.’ But now that it’s here, it’s honestly a little bit sad,” Sacca said. “I’ve always lived in Belmont, but from the way I was to who I am now, they were always so accepting and welcoming of me. It’s just such a great community.”
