By Bernard W. Carr
On Friday evening, May 29, a large audience composed of parents, friends, school staff, administrators, honored guests, faculty, and other family members gathered together at the Woodbridge Sports Complex in Greenwood to view the commencement exercise for the graduating class of 2026. Loud and boisterous cheers from their supporters reverberated throughout the venue as the seniors marched onto the football field, led by Woodbridge School District Superintendent Dr. Kevin G. Long and Principal Teresa A. Sharpe. School Board members attending the ceremony were President Rita Hovermale, Vice President Jeff Allen, Moraima Reardon, and John Campbell.
Valedictorian Lindsey Morales-Lamadrid addresses her classmates during graduation. Photo by Bernard W. Carr
Principal Sharpe opened the ceremony speaking on behalf of the Woodbridge School District, the school board, the administration, and the faculty. “I welcome you to today’s commencement ceremony for the class of 2026.”
During her address, she spoke directly to the seniors. “What I hope you remember most is this, your character matters more than any title or degree. The world you’re entering needs more people who are compassionate, adaptable, hardworking, and willing to lead with integrity,” she said.
The class listened intently as Sharpe continued, “It needs people who understand that growth comes from challenges, and that leadership is measured, not by power, but by service. Those are qualities you’ve already begun to show. You are resilient, because it’s a part of you, and your story will not be defined by the obstacles that try to stand in your way, but how you respond to them. Go forward with confidence and courage, continue to grow, lead, and represent Woodbridge well, and remember, once a Blue Raider, always a Blue Raider.”
Salutatorian Jasmine Truaxx thanked her family, and all those who supported the class of 2026, especially Woodbridge employees, teachers, coaches, and administrators. She added, “Anyone can make a difference.”
She offered a brief toast, stating, “Here’s to growth, change, and figuring things out as we go.” Before leaving the dais, Truaxx told her classmates, “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken anyway.”
Valedictorian Lindsey Morales-Lamadrid gave an emotional thank-you to her mother, telling the crowd “she is my best friend and the most beautiful person I know.”
“My mom never failed to tell me how beautiful and smart I am. I look up to her and she believes in me. I hope to make her proud of me in everything I do. I am proud to be her daughter,” she said.
Morales-Lamadrid wants her class to stay curious, support each other, and never underestimate their ability to accomplish anything.
Class President Belinda Berduo-Bravo gave the farewell address, and reminded the class to never forget this moment, never forget how hard we worked to get here. “This is not the end of our story, it’s only the beginning, dream big, believe in yourself, take risks, and never let yourself stop you from becoming who you were meant to be,” said Berduo-Bravo.
The class of 2026 was then announced to the audience by teacher Sarah Shiley and received by the Woodbridge School Board. After receiving their diplomas, Superintendent Long told the seniors, “As you move forward, here are a few things to keep in mind. Embrace change, stay curious, set goals, take action, dream big, make a difference, and be yourself. Before you leave, take a moment to thank the people who helped get you here….family, teachers, friends…none of us does this alone.”
Woodbridge held its annual awards ceremony Thursday, May 21, in the school auditorium. The class earned more than $500,000 in scholarships, grants, and awards. The schools of higher learning that the graduates have chose to attend in the fall are: Delaware Tech, Delaware State University, University of Delaware, Salisbury University, DePaul University, East Carolina University, High Point University, Jacksonville State University, Messiah University, and York College of Pennsylvania. Graduates will pursue a variety of career fields, such as nursing, education, pre-veterinarian science, psychology, computer science, criminal justice, and business. Other graduates will participate in a trade or vocational school and take up welding, HVAC, culinary art, electrical, and automotive technology. Senior Aubrey Willow enlisted in the U.S. Army.
The other graduates chose to join the work force.