WALWORTH, N.Y.-- Graduation is a word used a lot around this time of year. It is also something that happened Saturday in a community named Gananda, a small town located east of Rochester, New York, home to a small number of people that reside in the area and attended the local elementary, middle, and high school.

The ceremony began at 10 a.m. and occurred in the auditorium at the local high school, Ruben A. Cirillo High School. Among the small class of approximately 80 students that graduated are Brandon Courteau, Valedictorian, and Giulia Mahoney, Salutatorian. Both Courteau and Mahoney were involved in various activities outside of academics, such as sports and music. Mahoney is planning on attending Clarkson University in the fall and will continue to play soccer there. Courteau will attend The University of Rochester.

Among the administration that handed out diplomas to the students were Shawn VanScoy, district superintendent and Kelly VanLaeken, high school principal, who has finished her career at Gananda with this graduating class and will pursue a new position at another school district. Matt Mahoney, previously principal of the Gananda Middle school, will fill VanLaeken's position of high school principal. The 2016 class advisors were Rachel Baird, reading teacher, and Janet Boelter, special education teacher. Both were sad to see the kids go.

The guest speaker at the ceremony was Ernesto Gaxha, an alumni and valedictorian of his class at Gananda Central. He also attended Harvard University. He gave some insight and advice to the class of 2016 for their future endeavors.

With such a tight-knit class from a tight-knit community, some kids are ready to move on to bigger, better and different things, such as college and traveling. Some will stay in the area and attend community college or go straight to work. Congratulations to the class of 2016 and good luck with everything that is ahead of you.