SAFE, SEEN AND FINDING HOPE

SALUTE TO GRADS: Valedictorian and Salutatorian speeches for Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School

Emma Rucinski, Valedictorian, and Owen Lavoie, Salutatorian, for Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Class of 2026.

Safe and seen

There is a lot that Catholic school means to me. I have gone to a Catholic school since pre-K3, meaning I have been at a Catholic school my entire school career, starting out at St. Thomas in Delmar when Mr. Kane was the principal. Catholic private school helps me not fall through the cracks or just get pushed through. When I had issues with spelling or issues with bullies, I knew exactly who to go to and I knew it would get handled. I am sure that I would not be the person I am today without my Catholic school education

Being at a Catholic school gave me one-on-one attention with teachers and staff. What I find at Catholic schools is that helping kids becomes a primary part of their job, not just teaching material, but seeing the possibilities with each and every student. I was at St. Thomas for 11 years. Since the fifth grade, I knew everyone’s name and they knew mine. Catholic school becomes not just a school, not just learning or sports, it becomes a community where people feel safe and seen. My Catholic schools became my community between teachers, friends and staff. There was always somebody looking out for me. I’m not sure you could find this anywhere else. 

My high school career was very similar to those 11 years because I went to another small Catholic school; now I graduate in a class of 16. Coming to Gibbons I didn’t find classes of kids I couldn’t even name. I found 15 brothers and sisters that I can rely on. I found teachers that became like second parents.

I will be continuing my career in Catholic education by going to LeMoyne College which is a Jesuit school. Their main motto is teaching the whole person. LeMoyne was everything I was looking for because I was looking for that small Catholic school. I have no doubt I will feel comfortable there, as it is what I am used to and will give me what all that my small Catholic schools have: the attention and help I need and an amazing education. 

Emma Rucinski, Valedictorian for Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Class of 2026

Hope in uncertain times

On Feb. 25, my Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons basketball teammates and I lost a sectional playoff game to Johnstown High School. Tears flowed as the final minute wound down because I knew I would never again compete with my basketball brothers. The emotions of that night were overwhelming. Basketball had been more than just a sport to us — it was a family built through countless practices, bus rides, victories and challenges together. When the final horn sounded, another thought suddenly struck me with even greater sadness: What if this was the last ever Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons basketball game?

At the time, rumors swirled around the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany and the future of Catholic schools within it. Alumni, teachers, students and families throughout the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons community anxiously awaited news. Thankfully, in mid-March, we learned that our school would continue to exist. Relief and joy spread throughout our community because NDBG is far more than just a building. It is a place rooted in faith, tradition, service and relationships that shape students into better people.

After hearing the news, I did not spend much additional time thinking about the struggles Catholic schools continue to face until the morning of Sunday, March 22. That day, I helped my mother teach Faith Formation at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul in Albany. As we walked toward the church, I looked into the distance and saw a painful reminder of loss: the former buildings of The College of Saint Rose, now empty, awaiting new purposes. Saint Rose was once a vibrant college community that touched countless lives before closing in June 2024. For years, students from Saint Rose contributed greatly to the life of St. Vincent de Paul Parish and the greater Albany community. Seeing those empty buildings changed my perspective.

In that moment, my feelings about Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons’ “surviving” shifted to humility and empathy. I began thinking not only about my own school, but also about the students, teachers and families connected to Catholic Central and other Catholic schools facing uncertainty. I thought about the friends and teammates I know whose school communities may experience loss, sadness and change. Catholic education is deeply personal because it creates bonds that extend far beyond academics. These schools become second homes where students grow spiritually, emotionally and morally while learning the importance of compassion, faith and service to others.

Catholic education has played a tremendous role in my own life. From attending Sunday school and Faith Formation at St. Vincent de Paul as a child to becoming part of the NDBG community, my faith and education have always been connected. Catholic schools teach lessons that cannot always be measured through grades or test scores. They teach students to care for others, persevere through difficult moments and lead with integrity and kindness. Teachers, coaches, priests and mentors in Catholic education often serve as role models who leave a lasting impact on students.

At the end of the 2022 academic year, Bishop Maginn High School closed its doors. Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons welcomed some Bishop Maginn students and faculty into our school community. Through those experiences, I saw firsthand how hope and renewal can emerge even after painful change. My friend Sayber became an example of resilience and perseverance while adjusting to a completely new environment. Mrs. Silverstein, who joined NDBG as an art teacher, brought positivity, creativity and passion into our school community. Their presence reminded me that while Catholic schools may experience hardship and transition, the spirit of Catholic education continues through the people who carry its mission forward.

Catholic education is not simply about preserving buildings or traditions. It is about preserving communities rooted in faith, compassion, service and opportunity. Even in times of uncertainty, Catholic schools continue to shape lives and inspire hope. My experiences at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, St. Vincent de Paul and within the broader Catholic community have shown me that while schools may change, close or evolve, the values and connections formed through Catholic education endure for generations. I am tremendously grateful for the teachers and staff I have encountered at my home parish and at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons, and I will strive to carry forward the powerful lessons they taught me and the faith they instilled in me as I enter college to become an educator.

Owen Lavoie, Salutatorian for Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons Class of 2026