Graphic titled “Class of 2026 Leaders” featuring three Newfield Central School District students recognized for academic achievement. On the left, Emily Taylor sits on rocks beside a waterfall wearing a light-colored dress and is identified as Valedictorian. In the center, Michael Woodard poses in firefighter gear in front of a fire truck and is identified as Salutatorian. On the right, Averi Daley stands outdoors in a wooded creek area wearing a yellow dress and is identified as a TC3 Graduate. The graphic uses Newfield’s green branding colors and includes the Newfield Central School District logo at the bottom.

Newfield CSD Celebrates Outstanding Academic Achievements from the Class of 2026

Newfield CSD

May 28, 2026

Newfield Central School District is proud to recognize several outstanding academic achievements from members of the Class of 2026.

Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Emily Geordon Taylor and Michael Wesley Woodard have achieved the highest academic averages in the Class of 2026 and will represent their classmates as Valedictorian and Salutatorian, respectively.

Emily Geordon Taylor - Valedictorian

Emily Taylor, daughter of George and Suzanne Taylor, achieved a scholastic average of 97.14%. Emily received the University of Rochester – Frederick Douglas/Susan B. Anthony Award, Alfred University Scholars Award, RIT Humanities and Social Science Award and the Masonic Temple Outstanding Junior Award. Emily also earned the Highest Average award for a sequence in English and Spanish. Emily achieved High Honor Roll and Student of Distinction throughout high school and earned 44 college credit hours in our CollegeNow programming through Tompkins Cortland Community CC.

In addition to her academic achievements, Emily participated in varsity soccer, basketball & track, student council, S.A.D.D., travel club, literary club, garden club, Sources of Strength suicide prevention club and National Honor Society. She also served as a class officer and our district’s first student ex-officio member of the Newfield Board of Education. Emily volunteers in the elementary school, Newfield Food Pantry and established the Newfield High School clothing closet for students.

Emily plans to attend the State University of New York @ Cortland to major in Inclusive Childhood Education.

Michael Wesley Woodard - Salutatorian

Michael Woodard, son of Kristen Wells & Mark Woodard, achieved a scholastic average of 97.02%. Michael received the Centre College Fellows Scholarship, the Rochester Institute of Technology Science & Math Award and the Frederick O’Hare Community Service Award. Michael achieved High Honor Roll and Student of Distinction throughout high school and earned 44 college credit hours in our CollegeNow programming through Tompkins Cortland Community CC.

In addition to his academic achievements, Michael was a member of the varsity soccer, basketball and baseball programs, S.A.D.D., varsity club, Sources of Strength suicide prevention club and the National Honor Society. Michael had a variety of volunteer experiences in the school and community, including being a member of the Newfield Fire Department.

In the fall, Michael will attend Onondaga Community College to earn a degree in Fire Protection Technology with a career goal of becoming a professional Fire Fighter.

Tompkins Cortland Community College Graduate

The district also recognizes Averi Daley for an exceptional academic accomplishment achieved while still in high school.

Averi Daley, daughter of Robert and Dorinda Daley, participated in the Tompkins Cortland CC commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 19, 2026. Averi completed a mixture of concurrent enrollment and online courses on her way to her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences - General Studies!

Averi plans to attend Ithaca College in the fall to study Human Performance and Health Science.

Newfield Central School District congratulates Emily, Michael, and Averi on their outstanding accomplishments and wishes them continued success in their future endeavors.