Webutuck High School seniors celebrate post-grad plans with ‘decision day’ BBQ feast

AMENIA — With graduation weeks away, Webutuck High School seniors celebrated their next steps at an outdoor barbecue Friday. More than 50 soon-to-be graduates were feted by the school’s staff with a buffet of BBQ chicken, pork sliders, hot dogs, macaroni salad, coleslaw and churros.

Most of the seniors have their post-grad plans mapped out, whether they plan to attend college, enter the workforce or join the military. The list of schools they’ll attend include University of Albany, Siena, and Dutchess Community College. They plan on studying a range of subjects, including accounting, science, nursing, and business administration. There are also students joining the armed forces, and others who have opted to join the workforce right out of high school.

When asked to reflect on their time at school, the seniors gave Webutuck high marks. “For me, it’s the teachers,” said senior Angel Camargo Vazquez. “They care about you, they get to know you one-on-one.”

Some students spoke about the community they have with other classmates.

“I think because the school is so small, we’re all comfortable with each other,” said senior Kylie McWhirt. “It makes it enjoyable to come to school.”

They credited a long history with one another — many of the students have attended Webutuck since kindergarten — for contributing to that sense of community.

“Most of our grade has been together since Pre-K,” added senior Abby McEnroe. “So we all know everything about each other. It just feels like family here.”

The teachers and administrators were on hand for the moment, too. Staff and students laughed and exchanged memories as the midday meal finished with s’mores roasted over the smoldering barbecue grill.

“This is a celebration of all the great work that they’ve done,” said Superintendent Ray Castellani. “This is almost my twelfth year at the school, so this class was in kindergarten when I started. They know we care about them.”

From Broadway shows to the COVID-19 pandemic, the class of 2026 has been through a lot together. One consistency, PTA President Anna Kall said, is their commitment to volunteerism.

“I really admire and respect that,” said Kall. “It’s not a requirement any more, but they are still always asking me, ‘What can we help with?’

“Regardless of what direction they’re going, they’re all going to succeed. I cannot wait to see what the future brings them.”

As plates were cleared, students and staff helped to put away the tables and chairs set up for the occasion. They gathered for a class picture, posing for the cameras one last time before returning — for just a few weeks more — to the hallways they’ve walked for 12 years. Webutuck’s graduation will take place on June 20.