SALUTE TO GRADS: NOTRE DAME-BISHOP GIBBONS SCHOOL

June 30, 2026 at 2:17 p.m.

Graduate Arianna Roopal is covered in balloons following the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(CINDY SCHULTZ)**

Bishop Mark McConnell tosses his zuchetto as he joins graduates when they toss their mortarboards during the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Graduate Nicholas Bholaisingh poses for pictures with his sister, Catherine, following the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Graduate Owen Lavoie delivers the salutatorian address during the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Graduate Say Ber Htoo receives his diploma from Bishop Mark O’Connell during the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Graduate Marli Pippert is all smiles when she collects her diploma during the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Valedictorian Emma Rucinski moves her tassel from right to left to reflect her graduate status during the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Father Leo Markert (second from r.) acknowledges the audience as they sing happy birthday to mark his 90th birthday during the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. Joining him (from l.) are Superintendent of Schools Christopher Bott, Father Bob Longobucco, Bishop Mark O’Connell and school counselor Samuel South. (Cindy Schultz photo for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Bishop Mark O’Connell addresses graduates during the Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons commencement exercises on June 6 St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady. (Cindy Schultz for The Evangelist) **(Cindy Schultz)**

Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School held its Commencement Exercises on June 6 at St. John the Evangelist Church in Schenectady. The Class of 2026 graduated 16 seniors with a 100 percent graduation rate. They were accepted into 40 colleges and universities across eight states and 20 New York State counties and earned $5 million dollars in scholarships and grants for their college studies.