Russell Nixon, 18, looks over pamphlets of Buffalo State College with his parents Russell and Christine Nixon, who are both teachers. Nixon will graduate from Niagara Catholic High School and attend Buff State to become an e Click on photo for larger image

A tradition of teaching
By Rick Forgione
Friday, June 11, 2026

For Russell Nixon, becoming an educator isn’t just a career choice — it’s continuing a family tradition.

The 18-year-old, who will graduate tonight from Niagara Catholic High School, plans on attending Buffalo State College and follow in the footsteps of his mother and father.

“They are both teachers,” Nixon said. “I’ve watched how they’ve helped me and all of their students over the years. That’s what I want to do.”

While he’ll start his career in teaching, Nixon hopes he’ll end up as a school administrator.

“I can definitely see him yelling at some kid in the halls one day,” joked Nixon’s friend Ryan Williams, who also will graduate from Niagara Catholic. “I see good things in Russell.”

Williams and Nixon have been friends for six years. While their time — and occasional mischief making — at Niagara Catholic is coming to an end, they expect to stay friends.

“I consider him my accomplice in a lot of the things we did at Niagara Catholic,” Williams said. “Whatever the school had going on, we were there.”

Niagara Catholic Principal Robert DiFrancesco wouldn’t be surprised if all 47 of tonight’s graduates remained close after high school.

“It really is a family atmosphere among them, there’s not one clique against another,” he said. “They’re good friends now and I would expect they will be friends forever.”

All 47 seniors are graduating during the commencement ceremony at 7 p.m. today in the school’s gymnasium. DiFrancesco said every student except one is going on to a two- or four-year college. The other graduate is attending a trades school for specialized training.

“I’m very proud of this class,” said DiFrancesco, a Bishop Duffy graduate who was hired as Niagara Catholic principal in September. “They’re very unified. They all support each other.”

Nixon said it will be tough saying good-bye to his fellow graduates.

“We really came together as a class and bonded,” he said. “It really made for a good year. It’s going to be tough going from a class of 47 to 600.”

DiFrancesco’s leadership helped inspire Nixon to pursue a career in administration. It didn’t hurt that his parents, Russell and Christine Nixon both have had a successful career as educators.

“They’ve been excellent,” Nixon said of his parents. “They’ve always been there to back me up and support me, but let me learn lessons I needed to learn.”

Christine is confident her son will do well in education.

“I think he’s a well-rounded young man,” she said. “He has a lot of knowledge to offer and good communication skills.”


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