Cairo-Durham announces Class of 2026 honors graduates

CAIRO―The Cairo-Durham Central School District is proud to introduce the Cairo-Durham High School Class of 2026 honors graduates. Graduation will take place on June 26, 2026.  

The following students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement: Kingston Czajkowski (valedictorian), Nathaniel Porter (salutatorian), Issabella Zelinsky, Aishwarya Thakur and Zoe Vogel (tied GPA), Addison Hall, Avery Amoroso, Sophia Rennig, Aaylla Heines, and Kaitlyn Russell.

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Valedictorian Kingston Czajkowski

Throughout high school, Czajkowski was a member of the Varsity Cross-Country, Indoor Track and Field, and Tennis teams.  He is part of many of the school's musical ensembles, including marching band, jazz band, and chamber chorus, as well as participating in the school musical.  He served as student council president in the 2025-26 school year, also participating on the board of education as an ex officio board member.

Czajkowski is also involved in community service. He was treasurer of National Honor Society for several years and received the NYS Seal of Civic Readiness.  Academically, Czajkowski has been a high honor roll student for all four years of high school, taking many challenging AP and Honors classes and earning AP Scholar with Distinction.  

He will be attending the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami in the fall with a major in Music Performance.

Salutatorian Nathaniel Porter

As a student, Porter was involved in the music program, playing in band, jazz band, and chorus, as well as participating in the NYSSMA music festival. He was selected for All County Band all four years of high school. Nate was also involved in the National Honor Society and was part of a group of students that organized food drives for a snack closet in the Cairo elementary school, earning the Seal of Civic Readiness.

He also received the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, as well as the Clarkson Achievement Award. On top of this, Porter was selected as a high honor roll student every year of high school and earned the AP Scholar Award.

Outside of school, Porter is an Eagle Scout, having served a considerable number of hours building picnic tables for the Ingalls Family Pavilion in Greenville. In his leisure time, he enjoys hiking, swimming, and other outside activities.

He plans to attend Cornell University at the College of Arts and Sciences.

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