WINDSOR — As freshmen, Kenzie Wescott and Roxie Sherwin didn’t give much thought to whether they would graduate at the top of their class in four years.
“I definitely was not thinking about it,” Wescott said, remembering her freshman year.
And when they learned that they had become co-valedictorians of Windsor High School’s Class of 2026, they didn’t dwell on their hard work and success but rather they first acknowledged the support they had from family, friends and teachers.
“My family definitely has a big impact on helping me,” Wescott, a Weathersfield resident, said. “They were very supportive of everything and made sure I got things done.”
Both students graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. They will be going on to college, but following different paths.
Sherwin, a trumpet player in the school band who appeared in several theater productions during all four years, will continue her study of musical theater at Sacred Heart University in the fall.
Wescott plans to study biomedical and clinical sciences at the University of Vermont. Wescott said biology was one of her favorite subjects.
The path to valedictorian was not a journey of one but of many, Wescott and Sherwin said.
In addition to her family, Wescott also chalked up her success to teachers such as science teacher Catherine Ford and social studies teacher Kim Brinck-Johnsen, as well as Jeff Bachey, who was Wescott’s soccer coach her freshman year.
“The teachers at Windsor are special,” said Wescott, a member of the National Honor Society.
Sherwin was born and raised in Windsor and is the youngest of seven children. When Sherwin’s high school years began she enjoyed, instead of dreading, the academic challenge that came with her course load. English, she said, was likely her favorite class.
She also thought the Windsor teachers had the best interests of the students at heart.
“I think they really want to see the students succeed,” Sherwin said. “I think they do a great job expressing that and are very understanding.”
Sherwin devoted a lot of her remarks at Friday’s graduation to giving thanks to friends, teachers and family.
“Each of us has a teacher who made a special impact on us and is a teacher we won’t ever forget,” Sherwin said. “Thank you for all your work and the extra hours you’d give to help your students succeed.”
Her theater teachers and theater classmates “hold a special place in her heart” as does music director Bryan Stammelman, Sherwin said.
She thanked him for his devotion to allowing her to practice whenever she needed to and for encouraging her in theater, which inspired her to continue with the arts in college. But more importantly was Stammelman’s support when Sherwin said she needed it the most.
“Thank you for your patience, even when I was frustrated with the music and constantly put my trumpet down. You would convince me I could do it, and you were right.”
In an earlier interview, Stammelman said Sherwin always displayed an eagerness to help others and take on projects on her own, calling her one of the most driven students he has been around.
Wescott also experienced a lot of support across the school and she believes that is in part because the school is small. The class of 2026 has about 60 graduates.
“I think it is pretty cool coming from a small school,” Wescott said about earning valedictorian. “Everyone here is willing to help you because everyone knows you and the teachers are so supportive.”
In her graduation speech, Wescott struck a similar tone that there are many who brought graduates to this moment.
“As graduates, we often receive congratulations for reaching this milestone,” Wescott said. “But I think our teachers, families, and community deserved some of that recognition. Our achievements are not ours alone; they are the result of countless people who invested their time, energy and belief in us.”
Wescott thanked the teachers for patience, encouragement and support. For answering questions, staying after school, challenging us, building our confidence, showing us kindness and for “believing in us when we doubted ourselves.”
Teachers, Wescott said, take on other roles in a small school including attending games, concerts and other events while also providing opportunities outside the classroom such as international trips that let them “see the world in ways we could have never imagined.”
Sherwin thanked her parents for showing up for all her events, whether it was band, theater or bowling and never doubting her.
“Thank you for always being in my corner,” Sherwin said.
As she prepares for a summer to earn money for school, Sherwin said she has mixed feelings about graduating and being a valedictorian.
“I feel very proud but it is bittersweet coming to the end.”
Wescott reminded students that as they go out and explore their next steps in life and beyond, they should remember the lessons learned, friendships formed, teachers that believed in us and the community that helped shape us.
“I hope we remember not only what we accomplished, but the people who helped us get there,” Wescott said.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
Windsor High School Class of 2026: Tyson Allen, workforce; Bailey Athorne, workforce;
Marcus Attwood, career exploration; Isaac Becker, workforce, landscaping; Anna Bergeron, Champlain College; Landon Berrio, workforce, Osgood Welding; Shelby Briggs, workforce;
Molly Burke, gap year and real estate workforce; Cassie Clark, State University of New York at Morrisville; Logan Couternarsh, workforce; Shyla Cowdrey, workforce; Oden Cramer, Bryant University; Gabrielle Crane, University of Vermont; Jaelan Currier, workforce; Mackenzie Daniels, workforce; Avery Ducharme, River Valley Community College;
Tatum Flanagan, Rivier University; Keira Frost, gap year and two-year college; Tori Glennon, U.S. Navy; Bradon Hinkson, workforce; Chase Hodgdon, Saint Michael’s College;
Madison Holzwarth, Clark University; Bailey Howard, Community College of Vermont; Lydia Hugg, workforce; Colt Jasinski, workforce; Morgan Johnson, workforce; Lillyanna Keefe, Southern New Hampshire University; Mackenzie Kleefisch, Clark University; Kolin LaBarre, Vermont State University Castleton Campus; Aubrey LaFlamme, Rivier University, film and marketing; Owen Lawler, workforce; Alysen Leary, Community College of Vermont; Asher Lema, UMass Lowell; Rowan Lockwood, Arizona State University Online; Gloria Lovelace, New England College; Madison MacDonald, UMass Boston; Samantha Marsh, workforce, daycare; Olivia Martaniuk, RN program at Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center; Mia Martin, Vermont State University Randolph Campus, Tristen Merrill, military service; Noah Peabody, workforce; Cloey Pecor, University of Alabama at Birmingham, deferred; Samantha Pedrick, four-year college; Ella Prebish, Husson University; Henry Rice, Norwich University; Kaelynn Richmond, River Valley Community College; Samuel Russell, workforce, Alliance Group; Tylor Saragusa, workforce, Can-Am Bridges; Emma Sauer, Vermont State University Castleton Campus; Roxanne Sherwin, Sacred Heart University; Kobin Shute, workforce; Jackson Spaulding, workforce, Dingee Machine Co.; Quinn Vivian, gap year and workforce; Grey Walder, Plymouth State University; Kenzie Wescott, University of Vermont; Kemari Wildgoose, Southern New Hampshire University; and Ethan Wood, workforce.
