Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School has named its top students for the Class of 2026, and this year there are co-valedictorians.
John Hopkins and Ava Yorke have been named co-valedictorians, with Abigail Smith recognized as salutatorian, according to a news release from the district. Hopkins is the son of Adrienne and Matthew Hopkins. Yorke is the daughter of Lisa and Thomas Yorke. Smith is the daughter of Melinda and Eric Smith.
Hopkins is a member of the National Honor Society and actively participates in stage band, select choir, high school pep band and created the high school morning announcements live broadcast.
He is also a member of the varsity golf and tennis teams.
He has earned numerous honors, including the 2024 Fall Academic Most Valuable Player for Golf, the Schoharie Valley Concert Band “Donald Webster Solo Festival” Junior and Senior Winner awards and the George Eastman Young Leaders Award in 2025.
In addition to his academic and extracurricular accomplishments, he is an accomplished flautist who competes annually at NYSSMA, participates in all-county music festivals, and arranges his own music. He has also volunteered as a church flautist at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church and works as a state lifeguard.
He will attend the University at Buffalo in the fall to study computer engineering.
Yorke is a member of the National Honor Society and Youth as Leaders, and an accomplished three-sport varsity athlete, competing in soccer, basketball, and softball. Ava served as captain for all three teams and earned Academic MVP honors in each sport.
On the field, she was recognized as a Section II First Team All-Star in soccer and earned Defensive MVP honors for Varsity Soccer. She was also named a Section II Scholar-Athlete for WAC Basketball. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Ava is actively involved in FBLA where she earned first place in Public Speaking at the regional level.
She plans to attend Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, where she will pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree.
Smith is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the French and Spanish Honor Societies. Abigail is actively involved in environmental science club, stage band, select choir, pep band, the Middleburgh Community Summer Band and the annual high school musical. She also competes in varsity cross country and tennis.
She has earned three Academic Most Valuable Player awards in cross country and tennis, two Student of the Marking Period Awards and the Schoharie County Music Educators Association Scholarship.
Beyond her academic and athletic achievements, Smith has volunteered at Meet the Instruments Night, taken private piano lessons and served on both the prom and homecoming committees.
She will attend Hartwick College in the fall to study music education.