Middleburgh Central School District congratulates the Class of 2026 Top 5.
Valedictorian: Delilah Shultes
Salutatorian: Brooke Devlin
Honor Graduate: Matthew Quinn
Fourth Highest Average: Ev Kelley
Fifth Highest Average: Reily Murphy
“We are so proud of the Top Five. They have worked hard not only to maintain a high academic average, but lead our school and district,” said Principal Matthew Sloane. “They are accomplished individuals in the classroom, on the sports field, and in various clubs and activities. They are all inspiring.”
GETTING TO KNOW THE 2026 TOP 5: DELILAH SHULTES, VALEDICTORIAN
Clubs, athletics, and activities:
- Choir
- Class Treasurer
- Elevating Student Voices
- Interact Club (Treasurer)
- National Honor Society (Project Manager)
- Sweethearts and Heroes B.R.A.V.E Program
- Varsity Bowling (Captain)
- Varsity Tennis
- Youth as Leaders
Do you have good studying advice that you can pass down to help other students succeed?
Take your school work seriously, but not too seriously. Don’t forget to make time for yourself!
A quote that means a lot to you and why:
A quote that is meaningful to me is, “No need to hurry, no need to sparkle, no need to be anybody but oneself,” — Virginia Woolf. It reminds me to stay true to myself and not compare my accomplishments to others.
Something about the world that inspires you:
Something about the world that inspires me is the capacity for change we all hold.
Something about the world that concerns you:
Something about the world that concerns me is how much hate and violence there is.
MCS highlight:
A highlight of my time at MCS was attending the Sweethearts and Heroes Youth Summit in Vermont. I learned so much and got to connect with so many new people.
Career goals?
I will be attending Union College and pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering.
GETTING TO KNOW THE 2026 TOP 5: BROOKE DEVLIN, SALUTATORIAN
Clubs, athletics, and activities:
- All County Music Festival
- Athletic Association (President)
- Band
- Choir
- Class of 2026 (President)
- Drama Club
- Elevating Student Voices Leadership
- HOBY Youth Leadership, New York East
- Interact Club (President)
- Jazz Band
- Marching Band
- National Honor Society (President)
- National Junior Honor Society (President)
- New York State Board of Education Student Member
- New York State School Music Association
- Piano Lessons (Private)
- Summer Community Band
- Sweethearts and Heroes (Leadership)
- Varsity Soccer
- Varsity Softball
- Yearbook Club (Treasurer)
- Youth as Leaders
Advice to help other students succeed:
The mindset you carry shapes the life you create.
The quote that means a lot to you:
“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” -Maya Angelou
Something about the world that inspires you:
Something about the world that inspires me is the connections and networking I will experience along the way.
Something about the world that concerns you:
Something about the world that concerns me is the impact of technology on human interaction.
Career goals?
I will be enrolled in an accelerated DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) program in the fall.
Are there any fun facts about yourself that you would like to share?
I’ve worked on multiple film projects with HBO and Amazon.
MHS highlight:
One of my favorite highlights of my time here at MCS was definitely being a part of the Shrek Musical. It brought me closer to a lot of classmates who eventually turned into family.
GETTING TO KNOW THE 2026 TOP 5: MATTHEW QUINN, HONOR GRADUATE
Clubs, athletics and activities:
- Class Representative
- Bowling
- Interact
- National Honor Society (Vice President)
- Tennis
- Youth as Leaders
Advice to help other students succeed:
Just get your work done on time.
A quote that means a lot to you:
“Not all stories have happy endings, but that doesn’t mean they’re not worth the read.”
Something about the world that inspires you:
I might not get drafted for WW3!! 😁
Something about the world that concerns you:
I might get drafted for WW3!! 😱
Career goals?
I’m going to Clarkson University to study mechanical engineering.
Are there any fun facts about yourself that you would like to share?
I really don’t want to get drafted for WW3. 😢
MHS highlight:
Hanging out with my friends and having fun.
GETTING TO KNOW THE 2026 TOP 5: EV KELLEY
Clubs, athletics and activities:
- All County Music Festival
- Drama Club
- Elevating Student Voices
- Gay/Straight Alliance (President)
- Interact Club (Project Manager)
- Jazz Band (Treasurer)
- National Honor Society
- New York State Summer School of the Arts
- Secret Binder Clip Society (President)
- Youth As Leaders
Advice to help other students succeed:
Be curious and explore!
The quote that means a lot to you:
“The main thing in life is to know your own mind.” – Snufkin, Moominsummer Madness by Tove Jansson. Knowing yourself and your motivations, beliefs, and feelings is important to leading an authentic life. And the quote is from a really good children’s book series that everyone should read.
Something about the world that inspires you:
No matter what, people keep creating, thinking, and learning.
Something about the world that concerns you:
The lack of understanding and empathy. We’re all people, and we tend to forget that.
Career goals?
This fall, I’m attending Vassar College to pursue Studio Art and English.
Are there any fun facts about yourself that you would like to share?
I am 21 apples tall.
MHS highlight:
The trips with Mr. Dannible to Europe, Washington DC, and museums; they were really fun and insightful.
GETTING TO KNOW THE 2026 TOP 5: REILY MURPHY
Clubs, athletics and activities:
- BOCES CTE Nursing Program
- Next Gen: Med Club
- National Honor Society
- National Junior Honor Society
Advice to help other students succeed:
My advice would be to just listen to the teachers and ask for help if needed. Most of the assignments are not hard if you don’t procrastinate.
The quote that means a lot to you and why:
“We do the best we can with the information we have at the time,” – Dr. Jones
Something about the world that inspires you:
I am constantly inspired by elderly people. They are often the sweetest people I’ve ever met and the most encouraging people too. They were always so happy with me during my clinical training with BOCES CTE, and gave me the most interesting stories I’ve ever heard. If you ever have doubts about the goodness of humans, go down to a nursing home.
Something about the world that concerns you:
I am completely concerned about the rate that elderly people are abused, with the statistics showing that at least one in six elderly people will end up abused in their lifetime.
Career goals?
I am following my dreams of becoming a nurse.
Are there any fun facts about yourself that you would like to share?
I have drawn every single flag for every country and every state. I have an entire book of them.
MHS highlight:
My highlight was the acquaintances I met as they helped to broaden my horizons and give me a new, diverse perspective on the world.
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