Oneida City School District is proud to introduce its Class of 2026 Valedictorian — Irene!

From the very beginning, Irene has poured herself into her academics with a quiet, steady determination. Behind that drive is her father, who she credits as her greatest inspiration — someone she describes as never wavering in his support: “he’s always been there for me and supported me in everything I do.”

Juggling a packed schedule of academics, extracurriculars, and personal time would overwhelm any student — but not Irene. She has a natural knack for staying organized and getting things done on time, and she actually thrives under pressure. That ability to stay cool when the clock is ticking has been one of her biggest strengths.

When she steps away from the books, Irene keeps herself plenty busy — playing piano, competing in soccer, running track, and cheering on her favorite baseball teams. And in what may be her most memorable off-campus moment: Irene once met Joey Chestnut and accidentally offended one of his superfans. (LOL — we’ve all been there, Irene.)

Not every moment of senior year has been smooth sailing. Irene points to AP Physics as her toughest challenge, and one problem in particular stands out: Mr. Meyers assigned a head-scratcher that required students to reverse-engineer the original speeds of two cars based solely on where they ended up after a collision. It’s the kind of problem that makes your brain hurt just thinking about it. But Irene pushed through, leaning on hard work and an unshakeable positive attitude.

“I've always just believed in myself and had confidence in my ability to do the things that I want to do.”

Outside the classroom, Irene stepped into a leadership role as president of the National Honor Society and gave back to her community by volunteering at events with the Madison County Historical Society.

Ask Irene what the most important lesson high school has taught her, and she doesn't hesitate: “I've learned to have confidence in myself and that things usually end up working out the way that they're supposed to.”

It’s a lesson she didn’t just read in a textbook — she lived it, and every challenge along the way only deepened her belief in herself.

And for the students coming up behind her, Irene keeps it refreshingly real: “Don't worry too much about school, or anything, it's usually not worth it.”

Following graduation, Irene plans to attend Harvard University to study Chemistry, bringing with her a strong work ethic and a positive attitude toward learning.

Looking further down the road, Irene is keeping an open mind. In the next 5–10 years, she hopes to earn her degree and find her direction — figuring out exactly what she wants to pursue in her career and in life. Knowing Irene, she’ll figure it out just fine.

Congratulations, Irene! #OneidaProud