Edison’s Class of 2026 includes 6 valedictorians, 1 salutatorian

Edison High School’s commencement ceremonies for the 144 graduating seniors were held May 29 at the fieldhouse.

This year’s graduating class included six valedictorians and one salutatorian who spoke at graduation.

Valedictorians

Rilee Ava Givens
GPA — 4.0

Rilee Ava Givens is the daughter of Benjamin and Tara Givens of Bergholz. Rilee finished her career at Edison High School with a 4.0 GPA and was a valedictorian of the Class of 2026. During her time at Edison High School, she demonstrated exceptional leadership across a wide range of activities. Givens was a four-year member of the National Beta Club, serving as secretary as a sophomore and vice president as a junior; a four-year member of student council; and served as student representative to the school board for two years. She was also a member of the media club and Leadership Council for two years and served on the prom committee. Givens performed in the musical as a sophomore, was crowned homecoming queen in the fall and served as president of the Class of 2026. As a four-year member of the cheerleading program, she was an integral part of the state and OVAC championship competition team all four years and was named a UCA All-American Cheerleader for three consecutive seasons. Givens earned an Honors Diploma, four academic letters and an Associate of Arts degree from Belmont College. She attends Impact Church. Givens will attend The Ohio State University in the fall, where she plans to major in English with aspirations of attending law school in the future.

Benjamin Parker Griffith
GPA — 4.0

Benjamin Parker Griffith is the son of Cindy Griffith of Bergholz. Griffith finished his career at Edison High School with a 4.0 GPA and was a valedictorian of the Class of 2026. During his time at Edison High School, he excelled academically and was deeply involved in both the arts and athletics. Griffith was a four-year member of the Edison Chapter of the National Beta Club, competed on the academic competition team for three years and was a member of the golf team for three years. He was also a four-year member of the marching, concert and pep bands and competed in solo and ensemble for four years. Among his most notable honors, Griffith was named a Horatio Alger Association State Scholar as a junior and was awarded both the Hagan Scholarship and the full-tuition-and-fees Land Grant Scholarship as a senior. He earned four academic letters, received an Honors Diploma and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Belmont College. Griffith will attend The Ohio State University in the fall and major in accounting.

Sophia Jo Henderson
GPA — 4.0

Sophia Jo Henderson is the daughter of Aaron and Christina Henderson of Amsterdam. Henderson finished her career at Edison High School with a 4.0 GPA and was a valedictorian of the Class of 2026. During her time at Edison High School, she demonstrated exceptional leadership across a wide range of activities. Henderson was a four-year member of the National Beta Club, serving as president this year; a four-year member of student council; and a two-year member of Leadership Council. She was also elected to both the homecoming and prom courts. Henderson excelled athletically as well, competing in volleyball, basketball and softball for four years and garnering postseason honors in every sport. Those honors included four All-OVAC selections — two each in volleyball and basketball — as well as All-Eastern District honors in all three sports. Henderson was also named All-Ohio in basketball three times: honorable mention as a sophomore, third team as a junior and special mention as a senior. She earned an Honors Diploma, four academic letters and an Associate of Arts degree from Belmont College. She attends Triumph of the Cross Church. Henderson will attend Muskingum University in the fall, where she plans to major in nursing.

Alivia Faith Hupp
GPA — 4.0

Alivia Faith Hupp is the daughter of Dave and Kim Hupp of Amsterdam. Alivia finished her career at Edison High School with a 4.0 GPA and was a valedictorian of the Class of 2026. She was a two-year member of the Edison High School Chapter of the National Beta Club and a one-year member of the Spanish Club before completing her studies in small animal science at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School. While at the JVS, she was a two-year member of both the FFA and the National Technical Honor Society. Hupp earned four academic letters and received an Honors Diploma. She plans to use her education to open her own business and pursue a career in dog grooming and kenneling.

Andalyn Dawn McConnaughy
GPA — 4.0

Andalyn Dawn McConnaughy is the daughter of Jesse McConnaughy and stepmother Danielle Trank of Bergholz, and Hannah Boggs and stepfather Matt Boggs of Amsterdam. McConnaughy finished her career at Edison High School with a 4.0 GPA and was a valedictorian of the Class of 2026. During her time at Edison High School, she was highly active in academics, the arts and athletics. Andalyn was a four-year member of the National Beta Club, a four-year member of student council and a two-year member of Leadership Council. She was also active in the performing arts program, participating in the marching and concert bands for two years and serving as band secretary during her senior year. Andalyn competed on the basketball team for two years as well. She earned four academic letters throughout her high school career and received an Honors Diploma. McConnaughy plans to attend Kent State University, where she intends to major in computer science.

Kelsey Madison Parrish
GPA — 4.0

Kelsey Madison Parrish is the daughter of Matt Parrish and Kristin Starr. Parrish finishes her career at Edison High School with a 4.0 GPA and is a valedictorian of the Class of 2026. During her time at Edison High School, she was a four-year member of the National Beta Club and a two-year member of Leadership Council. Parrish served as an office aide her senior year and competed on the softball team for two years. She earned four academic letters during her career at EHS and received an Honors Diploma. Parrish plans to begin her career immediately after graduation, working at Toronto Apothecary to gain experience and certifications in pursuit of a long-term career in pharmacy.

Salutatorian

Wyatt Wayne Russell
GPA — 3.976

Wyatt Wayne Russell is the son of Craig and stepmother Alisha Russell of Bloomingdale and mother Christina Unkefer of Colliers, West Virginia. Russell finishes his career at Edison High School with a 3.976 GPA and is the salutatorian of the Class of 2026. During his time at Edison High School, he was a four-year member of the Edison Chapter of the National Beta Club and a two-year member of both the Leadership Council and the FFA. As an athlete, Russell competed on the football team for three years and on the track team for one year. He earned four academic letters, received an Honors Diploma, and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Belmont College. Wyatt will attend Bowling Green State University in the fall and major in mechanical engineering.

Members of Top Ten

Elizabeth Nichole Booher
GPA — 3.973

Elizabeth Nichole Booher is the daughter of Samuel and Samantha Booher of Toronto. Booher finished her career at Edison High School with a 3.973 GPA and was ranked ninth in the Class of 2026. During her time at Edison High School, she was highly active in the performing arts program, participating in the marching, concert, pep and jazz bands for four years; the drama club for four years; and the choir for one year. She also performed in two musicals. In leadership roles, Booher served as band librarian and drama club vice president during her senior year. She was a teacher’s aide her senior year as well and an active member of both the Spanish Club and Dungeons & Dragons Club for two years. Booher earned four academic letters during her career at EHS, earned an Associate of Arts degree from Belmont College and received an Honors Diploma. She plans to attend Ohio University, where she intends to major in astrophysics.

Alivia Rose Kowalczyk
GPA — 3.973

Alivia Rose Kowalczyk is the daughter of Scott and Lisa Kowalczyk of Bergholz. Alivia finished her career at Edison High School with a 3.973 GPA and was ranked ninth in the Class of 2026. During her time at Edison High School, she was highly involved in both academics and extracurricular activities. She was a four-year member of the Edison High School Chapter of the National Beta Club, served on Leadership Council for two years and the prom committee as a junior. She was also a two-year member of the media club and performed in a musical. Kowalczyk was honored as both a homecoming and prom court member and was elected prom queen. As a four-year member of the cheerleading program, she competed on the competition team for three years and was recognized as a UCA All-American Cheerleader for two seasons. Kowalczyk earned four academic letters during her career at EHS, earned an Associate of Arts degree from Belmont College and received an Honors Diploma. She attends Bergholz Fellowship Church. Kowalczyk will attend The Ohio State University in the fall and major in radiologic science.

Micah Ray Larkins
GPA — 3.975

Micah Ray Larkins is the son of Ben and Melody Larkins of Richmond. Micah finished his career at Edison High School with a 3.975 GPA and was ranked eighth in the Class of 2026. During his time at Edison High School, he was highly active in academics, the arts and athletics. Academically, Larkins was a four-year member of the Edison Chapter of the National Beta Club, competed on the academic competition team for four years and was an active member of the FFA for four years. He also participated in the Spanish Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for two years. In the performing arts, Larkins was a four-year member of the marching, concert and jazz bands, a two-year member of the pep band and competed in solo and ensemble for three years. As an athlete, he competed in swimming for four years, earning numerous honors including an OVAC championship in the breaststroke during his junior season. Larkins also competed in golf and cross country for three years. He earned four academic letters, received an Honors Diploma and earned an Associate of Arts degree from Belmont College. Larkins will attend Ohio University in the fall and major in mechanical engineering.