Thursday, October 1, 2026
Family, friends and teachers packed the North Shore High School gymnasium to watch the district’s seniors graduate June 26. The ceremony was held indoors due to rain and included speeches from the valedictorian and salutatorian as well as high school Principal Eric Contreras, Superintendent Chris Zublionis and Board of Education President Andrea Macari.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance and a performance of the Star Spangled Banner by the high school band and vocalists, Contreras thanked district faculty and addressed the graduating class.
“I know behind each college name and behind each photo was a journey through highs, through lows, and through everything in between, and we know you have prevailed,” he said. “Your next steps, your next destination will take you to places near and far.”
Contreras’ speech was filled with imagery and language related to Vikings, the district’s mascot. He led the Class of 2026 in a Viking chant to celebrate their achievement.
Many students’ caps were decorated with artwork and logos representing the colleges they plan to attend. Salutatorian Sareena Modi, who is set to attend New York University in the fall, thanked the district’s faculty and administrators as well as her family. She expressed in her speech a belief that this year’s graduates made up a strong community.
“As we leave North Shore, I hope each of us chooses a path that reflects who we are,” Modi said, “not who others expect us to be.”
Kaiden Smith, 2026 valedictorian and future University of Virginia student, also thanked his family and North Shore staff. He praised his classmates as “exceptional” and encouraged them to reflect.
“As exceptional as you guys are, you’re not exceptional by a defined factor that made you that way,” Smith said. “We might like to think that, but we’re all more than that. We’re exceptional because of those around you, and we all have somebody to thank today.”
