One of two mayors from California, among 46 from 15 countries, who together lead over 22 million people, selected for program

Joint effort with Bloomberg Philanthropies marks decade of strengthening local government while advancing research, teaching and the practice of city hall leadership

By Jaden Baird, PIO, City of Antioch

ANTIOCH, CA — Mayor Ron Bernal announced, Friday, July 17, 2026, being selected as one of the 46 mayors from 15 countries for the tenth class of the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative. He participated this past week at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in the Class of 2027. Through the nine-month professional management program, Mayor Bernal—alongside key Antiochstaff who will begin in August—will gain strategies to improve how local government works and move residents’ chief priorities forward. This is the second time Bernal has been selected to participate in a class at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard’s Kennedy School. He also attended the First 100 Days program in December 2024. Bernal and Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi were the only mayors from California selected for the tenth class.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to take part in the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and to bring learnings home to Antioch,” said Mayor Ron Bernal. “The program gives mayors access to expert faculty, research-backed frameworks, and practical tools we can put to work right away. For Antioch, that means building on our work to address blighted areas and make them cleaner, safer and more vibrant—because our community deserves a city hall that never stops learning and networking.”

The flagship Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is at the center of more than 10 years of work led by Bloomberg Philanthropies through its Government Innovation program to strengthen mayoral leadership and local government across the globe. Today, it is where the world’s mayors come to learn—and to lead. Mayor Bernal joined them.

Established with Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, and housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard, the Initiative will have now served 447 mayors—including eight in ten of America’s big-city mayors and nine of England’s mayoral strategic authorities—alongside over 3,000 municipal chiefs.

“Mayors sit at the first and last mile of every major problem we face, and we built the Government Innovation program to ensure they have the capacity required to lead,” said James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies. “The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is at its center, and in a moment that demands more from public leadership than ever, this class will have that world of support behind them. We look forward to these mayors putting it to work, and all that their city halls will do.”

Through the Initiative, Bernal will work alongside Harvard faculty, policy experts, veteran managers and fellow mayors—periodically in classrooms, virtual sessions, and in the field—beginning with a multi-day convening in New York City this week. Participants learn to organize teams around outcomes, ground decisions in evidence, and collaborate across departments and sectors—applying lessons directly to the issues at home, from housing and affordability to economic growth, public safety, and emergency response.

Once the coursework ends, Antioch remains eligible for more: professional education for senior officials in economic development, human resources, procurement and civic engagement; a Bloomberg Harvard City Hall Fellow, placed for up to two years on a priority the mayor sets; and research and instructional material developed across the program’s first decade.

“Leading a city is among the hardest jobs in public service anywhere as the demands on mayors—and the complex challenges they face—continue to grow,” said Jorrit de Jong, Director of the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University and Emma Bloomberg Senior Lecturer in Public Policy and Management at Harvard Kennedy School.“Meeting those challenges requires city halls to continually strengthen how they work, and with Michael R. Bloomberg’s unwavering backing, we built the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative to help them do just that—and every mayor teaches us in return. With a decade of that insight and research behind this tenth class, we expect their city halls to deliver at home and push the program’s work—and the field itself—further still.”

The tenth class of mayors represents 28 U.S. and 18 international cities, home to more than 22 million residents. The Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Class of 2027 included:

• NORTH AMERICA

United States:

• Mayor Dorcey Applyrs – Albany, New York
• Mayor Ron Bernal – Antioch, California
• Mayor Sean Ryan – Buffalo, New York
• Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui – Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Mayor Stephen M. Morris – Concord, North Carolina
• Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss – Dayton, Ohio
• Mayor Mary Sheffield – Detroit, Michigan
• Mayor Sharon Tucker – Fort Wayne, Indiana
• Mayor John Horhn – Jackson, Mississippi
• Mayor James Solomon – Jersey City, New Jersey
• Mayor Christal Watson – Kansas City, Kansas
• Mayor Jaime Arroyo – Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Mayor Eileen Higgins – Miami, Florida
• Mayor John Ewing – Omaha, Nebraska
• Mayor Keith Wilson – Portland, Oregon
• Mayor Marsha Judkins – Provo, Utah
• Mayor Angela Birney – Redmond, Washington
• Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones – San Antonio, Texas
• Mayor Michael Garcia – Santa Fe, New Mexico
• Mayor Van Johnson – Savannah, Georgia
• Mayor Jake Wilson – Somerville, Massachusetts
• Mayor James Mueller – South Bend, Indiana
• Mayor Lisa Brown – Spokane, Washington
• Mayor Kaohly Her – St. Paul, Minnesota
• Mayor Christina Fugazi – Stockton, California
• Mayor Sharon Owens – Syracuse, New York
• Mayor Anders Ibsen – Tacoma, Washington
• Mayor Spencer Duncan – Topeka, Kansas

Canada: Mayor Maude Marquis-Bissonnette – Gatineau, Canada

Jamaica: Mayor Andrew Swaby – Kingston, Jamaica

• SOUTH AMERICA
  • Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán – Bogotá, Colombia
  • Mayor Agustín Iglesias – Independencia, Chile
  • Mayor Felipe Alessandri – Lo Barnechea, Chile
  • Mayor Esteban Allasino – Luján de Cuyo, Argentina
  • Mayor Sebastián Sichel – Ñuñoa, Chile
  • Mayor Ramón Lanús – San Isidro, Argentina
• AFRICA
  • Mayor Sam Nujoma – Khomas Region, Namibia
  • Mayor Fatiha El Moudni – Rabat, Morocco
• EUROPE
  • Mayor Richard Shakespeare – Dublin, Ireland
  • Mayor Stephan Keller – Düsseldorf, Germany
  • Mayor Mathias De Clercq – Ghent, Belgium
  • Mayor Carlos Moedas – Lisbon, Portugal
  • Mayor Helen Godwin – West of England, United Kingdom
  • Mayor Tomislav Tomašević – Zagreb, Croatia
• OCEANIA
  • Mayor Sophie Barker – Dunedin, New Zealand
  • Mayor Mahé Drysdale – Tauranga, New Zealand

In July 13 and 14, 2026, posts on X, Michael Bloomberg wrote, “For the past decade, I’ve had the opportunity to share lessons from my 12 years in New York City Hall with hundreds of mayors through @BHcityleaders. This is our 10th class, and this month, 46 mayors from 15 countries will come together to begin learning from one another and working with Bloomberg @CenterforCities at @Harvard faculty & policy experts to help them better tackle the challenges their residents care about most. Mayors are expected to solve some of the toughest problems we face. That takes bold leadership, talented teams, and a willingness to try new ideas. It was great to meet the tenth class of the @bhcityleaders…They’re bringing fresh thinking and a determination to make their communities stronger.”

The flagship Initiative has also informed parallel efforts worldwide. The most recent is the Bloomberg LSE European City Leadership Initiative, whose inaugural class included 30 mayors and 60 senior officials from 17 countries.

Through these leadership programs, Antioch enters Bloomberg Philanthropies’ broader Government Innovation portfolio and global community of practice, tens of thousands of mayors and municipal officials strong, who draw on each other’s work to better the lives of the hundreds of millions of residents they collectively serve.

About Bloomberg Philanthropies:

Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2025, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $4.3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for our newsletter, or follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook and X.

 About the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative:

The flagship Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative is at the center of more than 10 years of work led by Bloomberg Philanthropies to strengthen mayoral leadership and local government across the globe. Established with Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Business School, housed at the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard, the Initiative will have now served 447 mayors and over 3,000 senior municipal officials, including 8 in 10 of America’s big city mayors and 9 of England’s mayoral strategic authorities. Today, it is where many of the world’s most accomplished mayors come to learn—and to lead. For more information, please visit cityleadership.harvard.edu or visit us on LinkedIn and X.

About the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University:

Founded in 2021 with Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University serves a global community committed to improving public management, leadership, and governance. The Center’s cross-Harvard collaboration unites expertise focused on cities across disciplines and schools to produce research, train leaders, and develop resources for global use. The center is designed to have widespread impact on the future of cities, where more than half of the world’s people now live, by informing and inspiring local government leaders, scholars, students, and others who work to improve the lives of residents around the world. For more information, please visit cities.harvard.edu or follow us on Instagram,LinkedIn, and X.

Monster Truck visit! Volunteers needed

By Team Jesus Outreach Ministries

ATTENTION KIDS!

Get ready for an unforgettable experience at the Team Jesus Outreach Ministries Community Backpack Giveaway!

Come out and take your picture with a REAL Monster Truck! This is an exciting opportunity for the whole family, and we can’t wait to see your smiles!

Saturday, July 18

Monster Truck Visit 10am-12pm

Backpack Giveaway-10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

11 Texas Street, Antioch

~Children must be present to receive a backpack (No Exceptions). *While Supplies Last*

Volunteer Arrival: 7:30 AM

As always, we kindly ask everyone to be respectful and patient with our guests, vendors and volunteers.

They are working incredibly hard to make this event a wonderful and successful day for every child and family in our community.

We look forward to serving you and making this a day to remember. See you there!

Two Antioch city council, two school board seats up

By Dawn Kruger, Community and Media Relations Coordinator, Contra Costa County, Clerk-Recorder-Elections Department 

The Candidate Filing Period for the November 3rd General Election will began, Monday, July 13, 2026, and nomination papers will be available for candidates running for office. The nomination period runs through 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026.

A list of offices anticipated for the election can be found here: www.contracostavote.gov/wp-content/uploads/26Nov03_PositionsUpForElection.pdf.  Offices on this list are subject to change as resolutions are still being filed.

Antioch Elections

In Antioch, City Council seats for District 1, currently represented by incumbent Tamisha Torres-Walker, and District 4, currently represented by incumbent Monica Wilson, are up for election. So far only one challenger has announced for District 4, Sandra White, who is running and hoping her third time is a charm. Plus, on the Antioch School Board, the seats for trustees in Area 2, currently represented by Dr. Jag Lathan, and Area 5, currently represented by incumbent Mary Rocha, who recently told the Herald she will run again, are up for election.

Papers for offices that are up for election will be available at the Contra Costa Elections Office, 555 Escobar Street, Martinez. Papers for Municipal Offices will be available from the City Clerk’s office in the city the position represents.

For further information on the General Election and key dates, go to www.contracostavote.gov

“Our Candidate Services team is ready to work with Candidates who will be running in the November General Election,” said Kristin B. Connelly, Contra Costa Registrar of Voters. “Our office is here to help potential candidates.”

If an incumbent does not file to run for office by the August 7th deadline, the filing period for that office will extend until 5:00 pm on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. This rule does not apply to incumbents that have reached their term limit and are unable to run again.

Interested candidates can schedule an appointment by emailing candidate.services@vote.cccounty.us or by calling (925) 335-7800. Walk-ins are accepted, but service is subject to the availability of staff. Appointments are available on weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Filing documents and information will be provided to interested constituents at their appointment. The process takes approximately 20 minutes.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Police Department

Congratulations to Lieutenant Michael Mellone on graduating from the 2026 Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) on Saturday, June 13, 2026!

We are proud to recognize Lieutenant Mellone for successfully completing this prestigious leadership program, a partnership between the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA) and the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

For those who know Mike, this accomplishment comes as no surprise. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to learning, growth, and leading by example. Whether mentoring officers, supporting his peers, or serving our community, he approaches every challenge with professionalism, integrity, and a genuine desire to make those around him better.

The Executive Leadership Institute is an intensive 14-day program that brings together law enforcement leaders from across California to develop the skills, vision, and leadership strategies needed to guide their organizations into the future. Graduating from this program is a significant achievement and a reflection of the dedication required to continuously grow as a leader.

According to the CPCA website, curriculum of this program encompasses a wide range of key topics in a Drucker inspired learning environment where the principles of management consultant, educator and author, Peter F. Drucker are imbued with a law enforcement perspective. Some of these topics include: Application of Drucker Principles to your Organization, Managing and Communicating the Police Brand to the Public, Teams in Organizations: Developing a Culture of Collaboration and Leadership, Leadership Decision Making: Introduction to Decision Science and Evidence-Based Decision Making, Creating an Exemplary Policing Organization, Changing Culture in a Police Organization: A New Path for Modern Policing; Leading Through Conflict and Diversity, Women in Leadership: Issues Facing Men and Women, Creating and Maintaining the High Reliability Organization, and Policing and Social Influence, and more. 

Lt. Mellone’s investment in his professional development benefits not only our department, but also the community we serve. We are fortunate to have leaders who are committed to excellence and who never stop striving to improve themselves and those around them.

Please join us in congratulating Lieutenant Mellone on this well-deserved accomplishment. We are excited to see the continued positive impact of his leadership in the years ahead.

Congratulations, Mike! We are proud of you.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Police investigating, public asked for help

Fundraisers Sunday, June 28th and online

By RRTH Learning Center & RR Ministries

Our organization, RR Transitional Housing Learning Center, helps more than 250 students in Contra Costa County and we have been recently burglarized. They stole 40 Chromebooks from our kids.

Between Thursday, June 18, 2026, after 4:00 PM and Friday, June 19, before 6:00 PM, our location at 512 W. 2nd Street in Antioch was broken into. During the burglary, all of the Chromebooks donated by the Antioch Rotary Club were stolen.

These Chromebooks were used daily in our free tutoring program, youth job readiness program, homework support services, reading intervention activities, and educational workshops. Every service we provide is offered at no cost, making these resources vital for the children, youth, and families we serve.

In addition to the Chromebooks, our livestream equipment, personal laptops, and other devices were also taken.

We are also addressing attempts to access our financial and communication platforms, including Venmo, PayPal, email and banking-related accounts. We have taken immediate steps to secure our systems, filed a police report, and are working with law enforcement.

Our hearts are heavy. These resources helped children learn, complete homework, build confidence, and prepare for their futures.

We are asking for the community’s help. If you were near 512 W. 2nd Street in Antioch between June 18 and June 19 and saw anything suspicious, have information about this incident, or notice someone attempting to sell multiple Chromebooks or other electronic equipment, please contact us or local law enforcement.

According to Antioch Police Lt. Mike Mellone, a report was taken and the burglary is under investigation.

While this is heartbreaking, it will not stop our mission. We remain committed to serving our community and providing free programs to the children, youth and families who depend on them.

As we prepare for our summer programs, we urgently need your help replacing these essential resources so we can continue providing free services to the hundreds of students and families who rely on us each year.

Every donation, no matter the size, helps us move one step closer to restoring these vital programs. If you are unable to donate, sharing our story with others is equally appreciated.

Visit the GoFundMe page at www.gofundme.com/f/support-rr-transitional-housings-mission or contribute through Zelle or PayPal.

In addition, a fundraiser will be held on Sunday afternoon, June 28th at our location beginning at 2:00 p.m. (See fliers)

Together, we can turn this setback into a story of hope, resilience and community support.

Thank you for your prayers, encouragement, standing with our students, families and community, and your  support during this difficult time.

For more information about RRTH Learning Centers visit https://rrth.org and about Ministerios Rey De Reyes visit https://rrministriesantioch.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

At SF State July 18

By Rachel Clark, Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, 10,000 Degrees

The 10,000 Degrees College Access Program presents The Summit, a FREE one-day, in-person summer event on Saturday, July 18 | 9:00 – 5:00 PM, where students will visit San Francisco State University.

Lunch and transportation will be provided for FREE.

Open to Juniors and Sophomores who attend a high school in the following counties: Contra Costa, Sonoma, Lake, Napa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara.

Students will: Dive into action-oriented college workshops. Get an insider’s look at SF State. Explore essential student resources at a resource fair. Connect with the 10,000 Degrees team and learn about our scholarship. Bonus: Win raffle prizes.

About 10,000 Degrees College Access Program

We are dedicated to helping high school students from low-income backgrounds get to college, whether you enroll at a four-year university or community college. Students at our partner schools can receive support from Fellows right on campus and attend financial aid and college readiness workshops and events all year.

Our College Access Program for high school students starts with The Summit, an incredible college immersion program held in the summer before your senior year. You can participate in our programming as early as the spring of your junior year by checking out our program application! From there, we provide informational, action-oriented workshops to help you explore your college options, apply for free financial aid and the 10,000 Degrees Scholarship, complete college application, and more. Throughout your senior year, we also offer comprehensive college support at our partner high school directly on campus. 

For more information visit https://10000degrees.org/students-alumni/high-school-students/#summit.

By Allen D. Payton

The 382 graduates of the Deer Valley High School Class of 2026 celebrated with their faculty, family and friends during the school’s 30th year, Saturday morning, June 6th.

The class entered Wolverines Stadium to the traditional sounds of Pomp and Circumstance by the Deer Valley High School Band, led by Music Director Ryan Carr. The Deer Valley Jr. ROTC Cadets, under the leadership of U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Ronnie McGee, provided the Presentation of Colors.

The National Anthem was then performed by the Divine Voices, led by Choral Director Alivia Logan and Salutatorian Natalie Hill then asked her classmates to be seated.

House 2 Vice Principal Mike Green, once again, served as Master of Ceremonies. He mentioned that Hill “will attend UCLA in the fall on a full-ride scholarship to study political science. She plans to participate in the ROTC and become a military officer upon graduation.”

Earlier this year, Hill received a $180,000 college scholarship from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Green mentioned the Antioch Unified School District officials in attendance for the ceremony. They included Trustees Antonio Hernandez, Mary Rocha, Dee Brown and Olga Cobos Smith who each later handed out the diplomas. Also, in attendance was Dr. Camille Johnson, Associate Superintendent for Human Resources.

Green then introduced Principal Robert Bowers who spoke to the graduates saying, “You’re a special class. Over the past four years you’ve accomplished amazing things. You’ve created memories that have built a culture that will be remembered long after today.”

“This year marks the 30th anniversary of DVHS,” he continued. “I’ve been incredibly impressed by your kindness, resilience. The world you are entering needs exactly what you have to offer. Believe in yourselves the way I believe in you. Dream big, work hard, take chances and make a difference. Go change the world.”

Trustee Hernandez then shared about his own experience growing up in Antioch, graduating from Dozier Libbey Medical High School, going on to college and now, in med school.

Green introduced Senior Class President Amanda Brown saying, “She will attend (Cal State) Fullerton in the fall and study early childhood development. She has also been awarded the City of Antioch’s 2025 Youth of the Year.”

She then spoke about her and her fellow graduates’ time in school and compared it to a garden of flowers referring to a poem she quoted.

“We used it to grow. Every challenge made us stronger, and every supporter gave us life,” she stated. “To our parents and teachers, thank you. Thank you for helping water our garden.”

To her classmates she concluded, “My encouragement to you is to keep building your garden.”

Green introduced Valedictorian Emma Canales saying, “She will attend U.C. Berkeley on a full-ride scholarship in the fall to study electrical and computer engineering.”

She offered thanks to her family, “who have pushed me past my limits. To everyone else, friends, teachers and mentors…who have encouraged me to become the person I am today.”

Canales then spoke of “The multiverse” and mentioned her own upbringing including the fact, “the doctor gave me to the wrong mother. My grandmother advocated for me.”

“Push back against every barrier,” she encouraged her fellow graduates. “As you move forward in your journey, take a moment to realize how much you’ve been given and you’ve given to others. I’m confident your resilience and passion you’ve demonstrated will become your best assets. Give yourself grace and humility.”

Associate Superintendent Johnson accepted “the Class of 2026 of Deer Valley High School. I certify that each of you have completed the graduation requirements of the Antioch Unified School District. Henceforth you are to be considered graduates and alumni of Deer Valley High School.”

The Divine Voices then performed, “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday” and “Ad Astra” which was followed by the Reading of the Names of the graduates by DVHS Math Department Chair Maria McClain and Math Instructor Jessika Tate.

Class President Brown then led her classmates in the turning of their tassels to officially demonstrate they had graduated, as some tossed their caps in the air in celebration.

The graduates were then led off the field by Green and Bowers during the Recessional to the sounds of the DVHS Band.

Congratulations, Class of 2026 and God bless you in your future endeavors!

Watch the DVHS 2026 graduation video.

Smallest class size in years

By Allen D. Payton

During an evening Commencement Ceremony on Friday, June 5, 2026, the 330 members of the Antioch High School Class of 2026 celebrated with family and friends their four-year accomplishment inside the school’s Eells Stadium.

In the program Principal John Jimno wrote, “It is with great pride that I present to you the Class of 2026. The administration and staff of Antioch High School believe that these young people are well prepared to embark upon the next phase of their lives…what a journey they have ahead of them!

“I hope this occasion, shared with families and friends, will create fond memories to last for many years to come. This presentation is a well-documented rite of passage from childhood to adulthood and is very meaningful to the graduates and their families. This commencement ceremony exemplifies the high standards of Antioch High School and its students, staff and community. Congratulations, Class of 2026!”

Following their entrance to the traditional sounds of Pomp and Circumstance and the playing of the National Anthem, known as The Star-Spangled Banner, the classmates and all in attendance were welcomed by ASB President Kailani Torres.

Jimno introduced the dignitaries including four members of the Antioch Unified School District Board of Trustees, Vice President Olga Cobos Smith, Mary Rocha, Dee Brown and Antonio Hernandez, Superintendent Dr. Darnise Williams, Director of Educational Services Dr. Lindsay Lopez-Wisely and City Councilmembers Tamisha Torres-Walker and Louie Rocha, the past principal of Antioch High.

Jimno then introduced Salutatorian McKeyla Feliciano and Valedictorian Daniel Fung who addressed the graduates.

Feliciano spoke of perseverance and shared memories of her high school experience.

“I believe in you all,” she said. “We are young, we are foolish, we have dreams. Hashtag, keep going.”

Valedictorian Fung said, “Thank you for raising a real goat” meaning greatest of all time, to laughter from his classmates.

“I wanted high school to end before it even started. I wanted to stay at home all day and play video games. I was always dreaming about my future,” he continued. “The future is today for all of us. I was wrong. High school wasn’t so bad. Sometimes I wish it was a little bit longer.”

“I was always afraid of change. Now, I see it is beautiful,” Fung stated. “Thank you, high school for teaching me that.”

“It’s not about how you finish. It’s about how you navigate this world and make this life uniquely yours. Be ambitious. We are dreamers. So, let’s keep dreaming,” he concluded.

Jimno then spoke saying, “This class is special.” He then mentioned that he would be watching his “son Matthew graduate tonight.” To the graduates he said, “I’ve spent the last seven years watching you grow up from little kids to adults. Watching you showcase your talents has been amazing.”

“Carry yourself with confidence, continue to work hard and follow your passion,” Jimno concluded.

Trustee Mary Rocha representing the board spoke next. She mentioned Jimno’s son graduating and then said, “I have my granddaughter graduating, here. So, we’re a family. Today, my final family member will graduate, Miley Fernandez.”

Rocha spoke first in Spanish then in English.

“I want to acknowledge the great sacrifice of your parents and family in your academic achievement.
What an exciting time for all and fear for what the future holds,” she continued. “You’ve been given the tools. Congratulations Class of 2026.”

Before officially accepting the class, Dr. Williams said, “You all did it and you did it big. Always question the status quo. The world needs more people to step forward when others step back. The future is not something that happens to you, it is something you come to shape.”

She then accepted “the 2026 Class from Antioch High School…upon the recommendation of the faculty and Board of Trustees.”

The graduates’ names were then read, and their diplomas were presented to them by a few of their teachers, Sandy Bentancourt, Melissa Johnson, Jeff Meeks and Andre TimTim.

Closing Remarks were offered by Senior Class President Alanna-Joi Sheard who then then led her classmates in the turning of their tassels signifying they had officially graduated.

Many tossed their caps into the air before family and friends joined them on the field to celebrate.

See AHS 2026 graduation video (beginning at the 24:25 mark).

Congratulations, Antioch High Class of 2026! God bless you in your future endeavors.