Geneva High School has announced Madeline Askin and Alexander Dorrington as the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2026.
Both students will attend Hobart and William Smith Colleges this fall, where they plan to continue exploring the academic interests that shaped their high school careers.
Askin said her passion for science, particularly chemistry and physics, helped guide her academic path at Geneva High School. She said she especially enjoyed hands-on laboratory work and challenged herself by taking rigorous courses, including AP Chemistry.
The daughter of Jessica and Dean Askin, she plans to study chemistry or a related field and hopes to eventually earn a doctorate in pharmaceutical science.
In addition to academics, Askin participated in cross country, basketball, Green Club, Book Club, National Honor Society, and Model UN. She said athletics helped fuel her competitive drive and pushed her to continually improve.
Askin credited her family, including her brother Jeremy, along with Geneva High School staff members Chris Chimera, Penny VanKirk, and George Goga, for supporting her throughout high school.
Dorrington said he used high school as an opportunity to challenge himself academically while exploring a variety of interests. After not taking Advanced Placement courses as a freshman, he enrolled in AP Biology and AP World History as a sophomore, a move he described as a major turning point.
The son of Nola and Michael Dorrington, he plans to continue exploring multiple fields of study at Hobart and William Smith before deciding on a major.
Outside the classroom, Dorrington was involved in soccer, indoor and outdoor track, baseball, bowling, Math Team, and National Honor Society.
He credited his family, particularly his older brothers and his twin brother Matt — who ranked third in the class — for helping motivate him throughout school.
Both students emphasized the importance of perseverance, support systems, and being willing to challenge themselves in order to succeed.
