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Mainland's Class of 2026 first to graduate with 'A' rated school

For the first time in history, Mainland earns an 'A' designation and celebrates 441 graduates.

  • By Michele Meyers
  • | 11:59 p.m. May 29, 2026
  • Ormond Beach Observer
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Mainland High School principal Dr. Melissa Fraine, spoke to the graduating class of 2026 during their commencement ceremony on Friday, May 29, at the Ocean Center. She reminded them to remember the ripple.

“Every word we speak, every choice we make, every act of kindness, courage, or compassion has an effect far beyond what we will ever see,” she said. “Just a single drop of water creates ripples that stretch across the surface. Our actions can reach people in ways we will never fully understand, and we may never even know about them. You may think one word, one choice, one act of courage, or one moment of kindness doesn’t matter, but it does. A ripple starts small, and then it reaches places the first drop never, ever sees. Every decision you make from this point forward has the ability to create a ripple.”

The class of 2026 had 441 graduates and was the first class to graduate from Mainland after it was designated as an “A” rated school in July 2025, six months after Fraine returned to her alma mater as the principal. She graduated with the class of 1985.

You may think one word, one choice, one act of courage, or one moment of kindness doesn’t matter, but it does. A ripple starts small, and then it reaches places the first drop never, ever sees. Every decision you make from this point forward has the ability to create a ripple. - MELISSA FRAINE, Mainland High School principal

Fraine said, when it comes to accomplishments, these graduates have set high standards. They know what it means to the community for Mainland to be rated as an “A” school, she said.

“This class has raised the bar,” she said. “They have set the expectations and modeled excellence and respect in every way … They have changed the image and the narrative of our beautiful school family.”

Mainland football player Bubba Westbrook said graduating was a big accomplishment for him. As a sophomore, he was a key player in the 2023 state championship win over St. Augustine

“I never thought I'd make it this far,” he said. “To have this ring on me and have all these medals and accolades, and to be in school history like that. It feels great because I have just come so far. I'm proud of myself.”

Forty-four students graduated summa cum laude with a GPA over 3.9, 33 students graduated magna cum laude with a GPA over 3.8, and 34 graduates finished cum laude with a GPA over 3.5. Ten students earned their Florida Seal of Biliteracy.

Bucs accumulated nearly 30,000 community service hours, with 311 students earning their industry scholar designation and 89 finishing with their scholar designation. In addition to completing their high school graduation requirements, 22 students also earned their associate degrees from Daytona State College on Tuesday, May 12. 

Fourteen graduates enlisted in the United States armed forces.

Valedictorian Lea Farhat, Salutatorian Benjamin Leiva, and class representative Kaiya Brown were the class speakers.

Farhat earned her associate degree at DSC, is an active participant in the school's college preparatory program, TriO Upward Bound, and is a member of the Tomorrow's Leaders Program. She will be attending the University of Central Florida in the fall, where she will major in biomedical sciences.

In 2019, Farhat moved from Lebanon to the United States. 

“To my fellow graduating seniors, as we graduate from high school, this achievement will bring about a change to our lives,” she said. “As I discovered when moving to America, even the change we are excited about can feel scary. Let's do what we did here at Mainland wherever we go. Be friendly, embrace differences, and welcome any change that comes our way. Remember, 'Buc Pride Never Dies'.”

Fraine had the graduates act out a ripple effect before receiving their diplomas.

“Students, this is what impact looks like,” she said. “One person stands and then the next. One choice is made, and then the next choice. An act of kindness spreads and then another. One dream grows, and another dream emerges. This is how change happens. This is how lives are touched. This is how we strengthen our communities ... Congratulations, class of 2026. Go forward. Make your mark. Make your impact. Make your ripple.” 

 

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