The countdown to graduation is on, and Stillwater High School is proud to announce its top 10 students for the Class of 2026. Congratulations to Adrienne Rist (valedictorian), Thomas Mulderry III (salutatorian), Berkeley Thate, Timothy Oliver, Connor Sheehy, Ella Barnett, Riley Stack, Broghan Feguer, Brooke Coon and Milez Gonzalez.
Students will be celebrated at a dinner at the Fairways of Halfmoon on Monday, June 8.
1. Adrienne Rist, Valedictorian
Making waves since universal prekindergarten, Adrienne Rist, valedictorian of the Class of 2026, has a passion for marine science and ecology as deep as the Great Barrier Reef. At Stillwater, that passion is evident in her involvement, commitment to excellence and career path.
An active student, Adrienne ran cross country and track through the middle of her sophomore year and participated in student government for four years, currently serving as president. She is also an ex officio student board representative on the Stillwater Board of Education and a two-year member of the National Honor Society.
Adrienne’s academic achievements include multiple awards and scholarships. Consistently on the Principal’s List, she has earned an Advanced Regents Diploma, the University of Rochester’s Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award and will receive the Superintendent’s Medal. She has also earned five scholarships and a marine science research associateship from Eckerd College, where she plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in coral reef ecology and elasmobranchology, followed by a Ph.D. in marine biology and ecology. Her goal is to specialize in shark and coral reef conservation in the Southeast.
Adrienne says she will miss Stillwater’s strong sense of community. With graduation on the horizon, she offers this advice: “Follow your dreams while prioritizing your mental health. A grade does not define you or dictate your success in life. Stay focused and work hard, but remember to set aside time for yourself.”
2. Thomas Mulderry III, Salutatorian
From kindergarten through his senior year, Class of 2026 salutatorian Thomas Mulderry III has made the most of his time in Stillwater. A top-10 student since his freshman year, he found his niche in the sciences, where 11th-grade chemistry reflected both his interest in and dedication to academic success.
Thomas’ studious mindset has led to notable achievements, including induction into the National Honor Society and selection as class salutatorian. He has participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts for more than 10 years, beginning in third grade. He has also been involved in Chamber Singers since 10th grade and joined School of Rock Stillwater this year.
Building on his strengths in science, Thomas plans to attend the Rochester Institute of Technology this fall, majoring in computer exploration with the goal of becoming a software specialist. He also hopes to start his own business one day.
As graduation approaches, Thomas said he will miss “the interconnected feeling between people that Stillwater has.” He encourages younger students to “hold out for a future of your own design.”
“Times may get rough, but every Stillwater student I’ve ever met has something that gives them purpose and direction, and with that, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to.”
3. Berkeley Thate
Berkeley Thate is ranked third in the Class of 2026 at Stillwater High School. He has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years and has participated on the climbing team at Rocksport since ninth grade. Berkeley actively volunteers in his community. His honors include Saratoga 250 Essay winner, Borlaug Scholar at Cornell University, Clarkson Achievement Award, Calvin University Presidential Scholarship, and the HVCC Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Award. He plans to attend Calvin University to study mechanical engineering. Berkeley works at Trek Bicycle building and servicing bikes. In his free time, he enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing, driving, and working on his car, a 1991 Mitsubishi 3000GT.
4. Timothy Oliver
Tim Oliver brings dedication and commitment to both academics and athletics, ranking No. 4 in the Class of 2026. A Stillwater student since kindergarten, he is an avid athlete and driven student. He has been a member of the National Honor Society for two years, the varsity indoor and outdoor track and field teams for five years, and the varsity cross country team for four years.
He has set several school records in both sports and received 11 athletic recognition awards. This led him to Canisius University, where he received a merit scholarship and will continue his athletic career in the fall. Tim ultimately plans to transfer to the University at Buffalo to earn an engineering degree.
As he prepares to leave Stillwater, Tim says he will “miss the individual attention you receive at school and in extracurriculars.” His advice to future Stillwater students is to “balance your life and set yourself up for success.”
5. Connor Sheehy
Leadership comes naturally to Connor Sheehy, who is ranked No. 5 in the Class of 2026 and has served as class president for the past three years. He participates in the early college high school program P-TECH and received the prestigious Rensselaer Medal, a merit scholarship awarded by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute to students who excel in math and science and show strong potential in STEM fields. The scholarship will be useful as Connor plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer systems engineering at RPI.
A student at Stillwater since universal prekindergarten, Connor has formed lasting friendships throughout the years. He said he will “miss the people who’ve helped him throughout high school, including staff, teachers and friends.” As he prepares for the next chapter, his final advice to fellow students is to “take opportunities available to you.”
6. Ella Barnett
Ella Barnett is ranked No. 6 in the Class of 2026 and joined Stillwater midway through eighth grade, bringing artistic talent and a unique eye for design. She was a member of the art club during her sophomore year and used her skills in decorating, art and design projects for the Class of 2026 throughout her junior and senior years. Her artwork earned her the cover of Talent Unlimited, third place in the annual student art exhibition at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame and a spot in the 2026 SPAC Festival of Young Artists.
Ella’s commitment to academic excellence has earned her several honors during her time at Stillwater, including the Student Sage Award from Russell Sage College and the Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award from the University of Rochester. Both awards recognize leadership and empowerment, with an emphasis on community engagement and addressing challenging social issues.
With a strong aptitude for academics and creativity, Ella plans to attend Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) to study digital media and arts while working as an optician and developing her art career.
With graduation approaching, Ella says she will miss the Stillwater community most, especially her teachers and friends. As she leaves her soon-to-be alma mater, she tells other students, “Follow your dreams and aspirations. It’s always worth trying, and you never know how things will go unless you give them a chance. Give what you love your all.”
7. Riley Stack
Riley Stack may be ranked No. 7 in the Class of 2026, but she is first when it comes to excelling on the volleyball court and in the classroom. A Stillwater student since kindergarten, Riley has been highly involved throughout the years and has developed valuable leadership skills through her extracurricular activities, including yearbook club, high school wind ensemble, the Saratoga County Youth Advisory Board, student government and volleyball.
Volleyball is one area where Riley’s leadership stands out, as she has served as varsity team captain for several years and has received multiple NYSPHSAA scholar-athlete awards, named a Second Team All-Star and recognized as Team Defensive MVP.
Her passion for leadership has carried over into academics, where she has served as vice president of the National Honor Society and senior class, as well as treasurer of the wind ensemble. Riley has also been named to the top six student list twice and has received the St. Michael’s College Book Award, the Student Sage Award from Russell Sage College and the Dean Academic and Spirit of Endicott scholarships from Endicott College.
Riley plans to use her scholarships at Endicott College to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, with the goal of enrolling in a doctoral program to become a certified registered nurse anesthetist. With graduation growing closer, Riley says she will miss the friendships she has made in Stillwater the most. “I’ll miss not only my best friends, but the amazing teachers who have shaped me into who I am today,” Riley said.
As she prepares to walk across the graduation stage in June, Riley leaves Stillwater students with simple words of wisdom: be yourself. “It’s a basic saying, but it’s true—by being yourself, you gain confidence and draw in a circle of people that will love you for you.”
8. Broghan Feguer
Broghan Feguer is taking his lacrosse skills from a small town to a big city after graduation, ranking No. 8 in the Class of 2026 at Stillwater High School. He has been in the district since kindergarten and has shown a commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics.
An active member of the school community, Broghan was a member of Key Club and the Yearbook Committee and served as class treasurer for two years. He played football for Stillwater at the junior varsity and varsity levels, eventually becoming team captain. Lacrosse is where his true passion lies, as he has played for Stillwater’s varsity team for the past five years and has served as team captain for two. He will continue his lacrosse career at Wentworth Institute of Technology, where he plans to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering.
An accomplished student-athlete, Broghan has received multiple scholar-athlete awards, been named a Second Team All-Colonial Council goalie and been recognized twice as a Section 2 Class D Honorable Mention offensive lineman.
As he prepares to transition from Stillwater to the city of Boston, Broghan says he will miss “the small-town atmosphere that Stillwater has, where everybody knows everyone and you can easily bond with the people around you.”
He leaves the next generation of Stillwater students with this advice: “Find something you love doing and make it happen by any means necessary. Hard work will take you anywhere, so if there’s something you love and you have to have it, then you must work for it and chase it.”
9. Brooke Coon
From running down the track to scoring on the soccer field, Brooke Coon is No. 9 in the Class of 2026. She is a multisport student-athlete who played on the varsity soccer team and varsity indoor and outdoor track and field teams throughout high school. She also served as captain of the track and field team for two years.
A dedicated student, Brooke will continue her studies and athletic career at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she plans to earn a Doctor of Pharmacy degree while competing in soccer and track and field.
A Stillwater student since universal prekindergarten, Brooke has built meaningful friendships over the years, which she says she will miss most after graduation. As she prepares to walk across the stage in June, Brooke encourages fellow Stillwater students to “not take high school for granted” and to “not wish it away.”
10. Milez Gonzalez
It’s the final act for Milez Gonzalez at Stillwater High School, where he is ranked No. 10 in the Class of 2026. An avid performer, Milez has been involved in drama club since fourth grade and has participated in several productions throughout his school career. He has also been a member of No Place for Hate since middle school.
Milez’s commitment to academic excellence has led to notable achievements, including mastery in science and the Presidential Excellence Scholarship from Russell Sage College, which he plans to attend in the fall. Because of his accomplishments, Milez is graduating a year early from Stillwater High School.
With graduation a little more than a month away, Milez, who has been a Stillwater student since universal prekindergarten, says he will miss “the amazing teachers who have helped spark his interest in learning.” He leaves his classmates with this advice: “Live for yourself. Achieving and doing the things you love is important, and so is your own well-being.”
