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Much like the classes that preceded it, the Steel Valley High School Class of 2026 features gifted academics, athletes, future entrepreneurs, musicians, and more. But as each speaker addressed the audience during the 55th annual commencement ceremony at William V. Campbell Field, they echoed a recurring theme.
This class is strong. It is strong for what it has endured. It is strong through the bonds of friendship it has formed. And it is strong because it has been prepared to succeed no matter what is thrown at it.
The Steel Valley School District administration, faculty, and staff joined family members, friends, and community members to celebrate the Class of 2026 under picturesque skies on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
The opening portion of the ceremony featured the national anthem as performed by the Steel Valley Concert Choir and Steel Valley Concert band, under the direction of Mr. Andrew Roberts and Mr. Christopher Petricca. Student council co-president Shaterra Meadows led everyone in the pledge of allegiance, while director of commencement Mr. Jeffrey Deabner welcomed everyone to the ceremony and introduced the student speakers.
Salutatorian Rebekah Kleiber encouraged her classmates to recognize how far they’ve come and the challenges they’ve faced, and to use that as fuel for the next stage of their lives.
“We've all overcome struggles that we thought were too impossible to beat, and we faced hurdles that we thought were too high to climb. The reality, though, is that we've made it,” Kleiber said. “We're sitting here today because we were strong enough to get through the hard times. Not only have we pushed ourselves, but we've also pushed each other in more ways than one.”
Valedictorian Aubrey Guciardo acknowledged that while the students will be headed their separate ways and may grow apart, the memories and bonds forged over the last four years will not be forgotten.
“Take in this moment, look at the people you love, and remember all the times you've had with them,” she said. “As we walk out of these gates, we will not remember the grade that we got on the calculus test, but we will remember the times sitting in Mr. Vickers' class, or any moment for that matter. So, yes, the people sitting by you will always matter more than what letters are on your transcript.”
Violet Coyne was named this year’s Steel Center Outstanding Career and Technical Education Student.
“Not only has Steel Center taught me countless lessons, but it also shaped me as the person I stand before you today,” she said. “I have learned to be more forgiving of myself in the work I produce because of Steel Center.”
Assistant superintendent Dr. Brian Plichta congratulated the Class of 2026 and celebrated their individual and collective strength.
“What matters is not the title that you earn or the amount of money that you make. What matters is the person you become,” Dr. Plichta said. “There will be setbacks, there will be disappointments, failures, and days when your future feels uncertain. When those moments come, remember where you came from. Remember the strength of this community. Remember the people who taught you to work hard. Carry your hometown with pride, because everywhere you go, remember that communities like ours produce people who persevere and succeed and overcome challenges.”
School board president Ms. Robyn Guy encouraged the class to stay true to their values.
“Your degree, job titles, salaries, your achievements may open doors, but your integrity becomes what happens after those doors open,” she said. “People will remember whether you were honest, whether you kept your word, whether you treated others with respect when you had nothing to gain.”
Ms. Guy then introduced this year’s commencement speaker, Noah Alexandroff of the Steel Valley Class of 2016. Mr. Alexandroff was the Class of 2016 Valedictorian, the National Honor Society Student of the Year, and the Powder Puff King during Homecoming as a senior. After earning degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, he worked at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory in West Mifflin as a data scientist. Now, he’s a senior data scientist at Govini, a growing defense technology company.
Mr. Alexandroff shared that he’s had several pivots already in his life, including going from a degree in mechanical engineering to now working with artificial intelligence.
“I frequently find myself saying control what you can control, and that's really the best advice that I can give to this graduating class on how to navigate any transition,” he said. “To me, there are two powerful things that you're always in control of: your effort and your attitude. You can't always be the most talented person in the world, but you have complete control over how hard you work.”
“I have two degrees in mechanical engineering, but I enjoy working as a data scientist far more than I ever enjoyed mechanical engineering. I moved from a really secure job in a government lab to a fast-paced startup, and accelerated my career greatly because of it,” he added. “These transitions all came with uncertainty, and I didn't really plan any of them. I worked through this uncertainty by controlling my effort and controlling my attitude, and as a result, it opened doors for me that I didn't know were possible.”
Student representative to the school board Violet Coyne presented Mr. Alexandroff with the traditional commemorative plaque for commencement speakers. A copy of it will be placed alongside other honorees in the high school display.
High school principal Mr. John Strom formally congratulated the Class of 2026 and joined Ms. Guy and Ms. Yvette Logan, dean of students, in presenting the students with their diplomas. Senior class president Holden Labishak formally accepted the diplomas on behalf of the Class of 2026 and closed the ceremony with a few final words of encouragement for the graduates.
“I truly believe this class is going to succeed, not because success is guaranteed, but because we come from a place that taught us how to work for it,” he said. “No matter where life takes us, we'll always carry a piece of Steel Valley with us. The vibe, the resilience, and the roots we built and planted here will always be a part of who you are.”
The Steel Valley School District extends a warm congratulations to the Class of 2026!
