Union Springs High School is proud to announce its top academic honorees for the Class of 2026. Ellen Crowley has been named Valedictorian, and Asa Brown has earned the distinction of Salutatorian—an incredible achievement that reflects years of dedication, perseverance, and excellence in the classroom.

Ellen Crowley – Valedictorian

For Ellen Crowley, being named Valedictorian represents more than academic success—it reflects a commitment to growth, responsibility, and a passion for learning.

"To me, being Valedictorian means representing my class academically and demonstrating the qualities of hard work, perseverance, and responsibility, as well as placing a high value on learning and knowledge," she shared.

Ellen has been actively involved in a number of extracurricular activities throughout her high school career, including cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, and the National Honor Society. She is looking forward to making the most of her final months at Union Springs, including the senior trip, competing in outdoor track, and spending time with friends and classmates.

Following graduation, Ellen plans to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where she will study aerospace engineering.

Asa Brown – Salutatorian

Asa Brown’s recognition as Salutatorian is a testament to his consistent hard work and the strong support system around him.

"Being named Salutatorian is a huge honor and something I’m really proud of. It represents the hard work and consistency I’ve put in throughout high school. At the same time, it is a reflection of the support I’ve had from my family, teachers, and classmates who have pushed me along the way," Asa said.

During his time at Union Springs, Asa has been involved in athletics and school clubs, experiences that have helped shape his high school journey and create lasting memories with his peers.

As he looks ahead to the remainder of his senior year, Asa is excited to play baseball, participate in the senior trip, and enjoy the final stretch of classes before graduation.

After graduation, Asa plans to attend Cornell University to study Food Science, where he hopes to explore how the field impacts health, sustainability, and innovation.

The Union Springs Central School District congratulates Ellen and Asa on their outstanding accomplishments. Their achievements exemplify the dedication and spirit of the Class of 2026, and the entire school community looks forward to celebrating their success at graduation on Thursday, June 25^th at 6:30pm on the front lawn.