Milford High School Class of 2026 turned the tassels on their mortarboard on Thursday at Briggs Stadium. The ceremony began with the traditional processional to “Pomp and Circumstance” before Seth Buford, Principal, welcomed everyone. His welcome was followed by the Milford High School Choir singing the National Anthem and then “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Buford then introduced guests, including school board members, legislators and members of Milford City Council.
“We stand here together to honor the accomplishments of the class of 2026 And, for many of you, this moment, four years ago, may have seemed like a lifetime. For others, the past four years may have flown by. Over the past four years, many of you have competed in state, regional, and even national level in your career technical education pathways. Many of you are leaving with certifications in a variety of technical fields, and some of you have earned a number of college credits, giving you a head start on the next adventure,” Buford said. “I’ve watched you grow into the young adults I see before me. I’m proud of each and every one of you. The passions and dreams that were forged in this district carry them with you and in your heart, and our world will reap the rewards. And always remember, no matter where you go, you’ll always have a home here at MHS.”
Buford was followed by Superintendent Travis Moorman who reminded the students of the support system they had that helped them get to this point, from parents to teachers to bus drivers and more.
“As graduates of Milford High School, you are part of something larger than yourselves. You represent the idea that opportunity should belong to everyone, and that communities grow stronger when we invest in our young people in our classrooms. Not only have you learned core content, such as math and science, literature, and history, you have also learned how to collaborate, how to listen, how to solve problems, and how to live and work alongside people who may see the world differently than you do,” Moorman said. “Now, as you prepare for what comes next, you will each take different paths. Some of you will attend college, others will enter the workforce, pursue technical training, others will serve our country in the military, start businesses, or explore opportunities we cannot yet imagine. Whatever direction you choose, remember this: there is no single definition of success. Success is not measured only by titles, salaries, or recognition. Success is measured by integrity, by how you treat people, by whether you make your community better, by whether you continue learning and growing throughout your life.”
Milford School District Board of Education Vice-President Matt Bucher addressed the graduates, telling them to look around at the classmates beside them, the teachers in front of them and the families surrounding them.
“Every one of them helped carry you to this place. Find the people who helped you get here and thank them. They earned it tonight too. Milford has shaped you and now, you get to shape what comes next, perhaps in college lecture halls, in trade shops, in our nation’s uniforms, in workplaces, and in this very community,” Bucher said. “Wherever you go, carry Milford with you, lead with humility, follow with character, show up for each other, and come back and visit us. On behalf of the Milford School Board of Education and the shared group of communities we represent, congratulations Bucs! We are so proud of you.”
Senior members of the Milford High School choir then performed the senior song selection “We Remember Them.” Senior Class President Ameiah Bruce presented the Class of 2026. Buford stated that Bruce was a dedicated student and active member of the school community. While attending Milford, Bruce earned her CNA as well as her phlebotomy and patient care tech certifications. She will be attending Delaware State University in the pre-nursing program.
“We are buccaneers, and like real buccaneers, we’ve weathered storms, pandemics, tests, losses, and oddly also fart spray. We learned not just from textbooks, but from each other how to bounce back, how to lift each other up, and how to make even the longest days unforgettable,” Bruce said. “To our teachers, I thank you on behalf of the class of 2026 for being more than just educators. You were patient when we were stubborn, kind when we were not, and relentless in believing in us, even when we didn’t believe in ourselves. To our families, thank you for being our foundation, for cheering us on, holding us down, letting us grow into who we’re becoming and giving us a reason to want to do good for ourselves. And to my fellow graduates, Class of 2026 congratulations, because we’ve made it. Take a look around and soak it all in, because we’ve overcame so much, even if it didn’t feel like it in the moment. We may go in different directions, guided by new compasses and different wins, but no matter where life takes us, we will always carry the memory of this harbor, this school, and this home. Thank you all. Go Bucs!”
Salutatorian Kenny Ung spoke after Bruce. Ung has completed multiple advanced placement dual enrollment courses and completed the patient care pathway, earning his CAN along with his phlebotomy and patient care tech certification. He is an active member of National Honor Society, Vice-President of Student Government, President of the Interact Club. He plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis in the pre-med program with a combined degree in psychology, neuroscience and philosophy (PNP).
“The people in this field are some of the strongest people I’ve ever met in my life. It has been so enriching to be surrounded by great athletes, brilliant minds, strong vocalists, creative artists, talented performers, dedicated leaders, selfless volunteers, and so much more,” Ung said. “I see so much potential and many bright, successful futures. If you couldn’t tell already, we are one of Milford’s largest graduating classes yet, and in my opinion, the best. We have cheered, struggled, and supported one another for the past four years, and for some even longer. We shared our way through comprehending biology. We cheered our way towards winning best homecoming float all four years. We supported each other by acting as pin cushions to practice our blood work for CNA class, we did it together. So, to my peers, please don’t become strangers after today.”
Ung also reminded students that the teachers behind him and the families in the stands deserved credit for helping the graduates get where they were today. Ung was followed by Valedictorian Madison Stahl who currently serves as the Vice-President of the Mispillion Chapter of the National Honor Society. Stahl has been a three-sport athlete since eighth grade, a two-time DIAA scholar athlete and was named as the first team All Star goalie. Stahl has completed a significant number of advanced placement and dual enrollment courses. She completed the art pathway and plans to attend Smith College in the fall in their government studies with a focus on pre-law.
“This is the finish line, and we are finally crossing it. This is the final chapter of our high school education, and the start of a whole new chapter of firsts. The importance of today is not only to celebrate ourselves and our hard work, but to allow us to reflect on what was, what is, and what has yet to arrive,” Stahl said. “Today, we are not only in this moment, but we are thinking about the chubby cheeked, sticky fingered little kids that were, and the grown-ups we are now becoming. While celebrating today, we need not only celebrate ourselves, but also those around us who have walked through this chapter by our side.”
Stahl could not help but be nostalgic as she looked at her classmates. She stated that when she looked out at her fellow classmates, she saw the kids she played with at recess, the awkward teenagers from seventh grade quarantine groups.
“I see my teammates, my peers, my friends, and the people that we’ve grown and flourished with into adulthood,” Stahl said. “But most importantly, I look in front of me and see people who deserve to be here. People who deserve to call themselves graduates of Milford High School”
The keynote speaker was Amanda Cinque, the Milford High School Teacher of the Year. Cinque reminded the students that they should never stop learning and investigating. Even when they got answers to the questions, they should ask more questions so that they continually strive to improve.
“This mindset accompanied by their strength and kindness, will benefit them beyond the classroom and into their future professions and everyday life,” Cinque said. “Graduates, go into the next chapter of your life, continuing to question and asking the why and so what. Ask yourselves how you can change the world and know that you have the tools needed to succeed in whatever you seek out to do, whatever it is that is your why. Congratulations MHS Class of 2026. Enjoy your moment, it is very much earned.”
After Cinque’s speech, Moorman read the Rite of Participation.
“Now, the Milford School District Board of Education, having duly certified that students have completed all of the requirements for graduation as prescribed by the State of Delaware and the Milford School District, it is my honor and pleasure to present the class of 2026 for the awarding of the diplomas at this time,” Moorman read.
Diplomas were presented to the Class of 2026 by school counselors Elise Bell, Tara McGoff, Jennifer Llewellyn and Lakeria Showell. Graduates were also congratulated by Moorman and Bucher.
