Lorain High School class of 2026 succeeded despite adversity, top students say

LORAIN — Called up name by name, the Lorain High School class of 2026 walked across a stage as students for the final time on Saturday, took their diplomas and left as graduates. They came from a school right in the heart of one of the most-diverse, ethnically rich and resilient communities around, salutatorian Abby Palazzola said. So all the doubt and the criticism directed at the International City, its schools and young people from people on the outside is great motivation to succeed, she said. "Our lives are too short and we have come to far to let the opinions of others decide what we are capable of," Palazzola said. Palazzola, who graduated with two associate's degrees from Lorain County Community College and a full scholarship to study nursing at The Ohio State University, said this year's graduates overcame the stigma and assumptions others have of "where we come from." She spoke to the hundreds of family members, supporters, peers and friends gathered to cheer them on in the crowded high school gymnasium. Principal Melissa Cheers said 39 students earned an associates degree taking early college classes through LCCC saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars in future tuition costs. The graduation rate for the class of 2026 was the highest in 23 years, she said. The crowd roared its approval. All that success "isn't given, it's earned," National Honor Society President Cora Wysocky told her fellow graduates. One of them is valedictorian Alisha Aybar, who is headed to Boston University with two associate's degrees under her belt and all four years of college paid in full thanks to her academic success. "We made it — not perfectly and definitely not gracefully — but we made it," Aybar said, thanking her family for their love and sacrifice. Parents "are people, too," Aybar said. "Class of 2026, we did not walk here alone. We were carried by sacrifice and resilience." Palazzola said she was offered the chance several years ago to leave Lorain City Schools, which she had attended all her life. "I chose Lorain," she said, "I chose it because I knew what outsiders didn't understand. I knew that while people may define this district by it's reputation, they overlook the relentless drive of the students sitting in these chairs right now who know exactly what it takes to overcome adversity." Cheers reminded the graduates that "it's okay to be a good human" with courage and integrity. The newly-graduated Titans "are wiser, stronger and ready to take on the next chapter," she said. This year's graduating class of Titans fought hard through "blood, sweat and tears," student Cileigh Gray said in Saturday's welcome speech. "We did it!" Gray screamed with joy. Her classmates joined her.Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com