What happens when a school community welcomes home the people who once walked its halls—and went on to make meaningful contributions both locally and across the globe? The answer is both simple and poignant: a moment that honors the past while celebrating personal journeys shaped by passion and purpose.

On Monday, November 24, Croton-Harmon High School gathered for a special kind of homecoming: the biennial Hall of Distinguished Graduates ceremony, recognizing alumni whose careers embody CHHS’s enduring values of excellence, service, global citizenship, and strong community connection.

A Tradition Rooted in Excellence

Principal Dr. Laura Dubak opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to guests and a heartfelt acknowledgment of the work that brought this year’s induction to life. She extended special thanks to Alice Lu and Patti Rotindo, who guided the nomination process, coordinated outreach, and ensured every detail—from program design to event logistics—reflected the significance of the moment.

She also spoke about the thoughtful and community-driven process behind every Distinguished Graduate selection. “Our Distinguished Graduates were nominated by members of the community, graduates’ former classmates, and former and current staff members,” Dr. Dubak shared.

Dr. Dubak emphasized that while the inductees’ careers differ greatly, they share two meaningful qualities: “They all sat in the same seats you are sitting in now. And none of them expected to be back here today to be inducted. The Hall of Distinguished Graduates should remind us, truly, that you never know who you are sitting next to.”

“This is a very special day at CHHS,” she added. “We hold this event every three years so that every student has the opportunity to experience it at least once during high school. And for some of you, you may be back here in a decade or two to be inducted yourselves.”

Since its founding in 2006, the Hall of Distinguished Graduates has honored alumni who have made extraordinary contributions to their fields, communities, and the world. With the addition of Mr. Kelly and Chief Nikitopoulos, the Hall now includes 30 exemplary graduates, each recognized on the plaques displayed in the school’s main hallway.

Inspiration for Today’s Students

Assistant Principal Erica Fiorini encouraged students to see themselves in the stories of Distinguished Graduates.

“If you’ve taken time to read the bios in the display case, you know that truly remarkable people once sat exactly where you sit today,” she said. “Their achievements span science, the arts, business, and public service. Each of them took something they learned here and used it to shape society in a meaningful way.”

She reminded students that the Hall is both a celebration and an invitation: “We hope you feel supported to explore your passions, think critically and creatively, innovate, take risks, and eventually reach your potential in a field where you feel you can make an impact of your own just as our Distinguished Graduates have.”

Honoring Distinguished Graduate Brian Kelly ’04

Jeremy Pollak, CHHS student and Building Planning Council member, introduced the first inductee, Brian Kelly, highlighting the global significance of his work. Since graduating from CHHS in 2004, Mr. Kelly has built a career at the intersection of foreign policy, human rights, and international law, serving in some of the highest levels of national and international policymaking.

Mr. Kelly’s journey has included serving as the Director for Global Criminal Justice and Multilateral Affairs at the White House National Security Council, where he helped lead efforts to hold war criminals accountable and advance human rights. At the U.S. Department of State, he worked in the Office of the Legal Adviser, representing the United States before international courts and contributing to major negotiations at the United Nations.

Earlier in his career, he served in the Office of the Special Envoy to Sudan, at the U.S. Mission to the UN, and in assignments focused on Iran and the broader Middle East. His academic path led him from the University of Pennsylvania to Princeton and Harvard Law School, where he developed the expertise he now shares with students as a foreign policy instructor.

In his remarks, Mr. Kelly reflected on how global events during his teenage years shaped his future. “I was a freshman when the September 11th attacks happened. It had a profound impact on the country, the world, and our community,” he said. “During my junior and senior years, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq dominated headlines. After I graduated from CHHS, I became equally interested in studying international relations and pursuing a career in foreign policy.”

He spoke with gratitude for the enduring lessons he learned at CHHS—lessons in communication, advocacy, and courage. He recalled the influence of his AP English teacher, Dr. Vogel, who taught him to communicate clearly and persuasively—skills he relies on daily in high-stakes policy settings. He reflected on how CHHS taught him to challenge ideas and speak up for his values, and how stepping outside his comfort zone, including participating in the La Rochelle French exchange program, opened the door to learning new languages and working in places as far-reaching as Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Tajikistan.

Honoring Distinguished Graduate Chief John Nikitopoulos ’77

Jeremy Pollak next introduced Chief John Nikitopoulos, opening with a tribute to his decades of service and his lifelong ties to Croton. “Chief Nikitopoulos has devoted his career to helping others, strengthening community connections, and leading with integrity,” Jeremy shared. “As someone who grew up here and raised his family here, he has always viewed Croton as the ideal place to serve.”

Chief Nikitopoulos’s nearly four decades in law enforcement reflect an unwavering commitment to the community he has always called home. He joined the Croton Police Department in 1986 and steadily rose through the ranks—first as a Police Officer, then as a Detective, later serving as Detective Sergeant and Lieutenant, before being appointed Chief of Police in 2020. Along the way, he helped establish the department’s Dive Team and Marine Unit, serving as a certified Dive Master dedicated to community safety both on land and in the water.

“It is a humbling experience to stand here today to receive this Distinguished Graduate Award and to be recognized by the very school that helped shape who I am today,” Chief Nikitopoulos said. “Forty-eight years later, here I am reflecting on a lifetime of service in the same community where it all began. I wanted to help people in good times and bad times. One of the greatest goals in life is to be of use to others and offer kindness.”

With immense sincerity and appreciation, he reflected on Croton as a place where teachers, neighbors, and local police officers were “more than just authority figures—they were mentors, role models, and part of an extended family,” shaping his belief in service as both a calling and a community responsibility.

A Celebration of Legacy and Possibility

Assistant Principal Fiorini closed the ceremony by thanking both inductees, their families, and the entire school community for uplifting this meaningful tradition.

The Hall of Distinguished Graduates stands as a symbol of CHHS’s enduring values and limitless student potential—a reminder that the next remarkable story may already be taking shape in today’s classrooms.