Jordan-Elbridge High School honors ‘Graduates of Distinction’ during award ceremony on May 28

Jordan-Elbridge High School recognized former students who have achieved success in their professions during the Fifth Annual “Graduates of Distinction” ceremony on May 28.

The honorees included: Jane Ayers (Class of 1978), senior vice president and chief technology/operations officer for Volt Delta Resources; Emily Longeretta (Class of 2008), a senior entertainment editor for U.S. Weekly; U.S. Army Captain Larry Dewey (Class of 1964), honored with Silver and Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart for his service in the Vietnam War; and the drumline Downbeat Percussion. Five of the drumline’s founders were honored including Christopher Ganey (Class of 2002), Dan MacCollum (Class of 2003), Dan English (Class of 2004), Michael English (Class of 2006) and Eric English (Class of 2008).

Each honoree received a plaque and h

ad their picture put up on the Graduates of Distinction Wall (which features a mural created by staff and students) in the high school cafeteria.

Each recipient or representative delivered a message for the audience in the auditorium.

Ayers shared how her JE education helped her to face early challenges in her life. She spoke about how students today are growing up in a rapidly changing world where many of the jobs of the future don’t exist yet.

She told the students in the audience their generation is “rooted in innovation” and they are tasked to use it for the good of the many.

“Your flexibility, continued quest for learning, attitude and ability to adapt will allow you to succeed in a rapidly changing world,” she said.

“There is an unlimited amount of things that you can do with your life. Find where you shine and help lead others to where they can sparkle too.”

Longeretta thanked her family, friends and the community for helping guiding her journey and helping her realize that although there’s “bumps in the road,” you can still succeed. She advised the audience not to let people define what being a part of their generation means, but to learn from previous generations and carve their own path.

“Be proud of where you come from,” she said. “When I’m going to L.A. or Mexico and I get anxious, I think about going to the Jordan Diner or being with my friends.”

Harry Rogers accepted on behalf of the late Dewey, who perished during a resupply mission in Vietnam.

Rogers talked about how Dewey received 22 air medals for meritoriou s flying in the war, and read a declaration from when he was honored with a Silver Star.

Before the five members of Downbeat Percussions ended the ceremony with a rousing and energetic drum performance, MacCollum and Dan English thanked their families and the entire JE community for helping them.  

MacCollum credited middle school music teacher Maria Hare for starting them on drums and his other music teachers.

“Thank you to JE for your continued support and all of the great programs,” he said.

“A big reason we (my family) moved back to this district is so my three daughters could go through this system and have those opportunities.”