Syosset High School held its 66th annual commencement on June 24 in the Hofstra University David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The commencement began with a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by the senior members of Syosset High School’s Adelettes, an all-female barbershop a cappella group.
The school’s principal, Giovanni Durante, then welcomed friends, family, administrators and graduates to the ceremony.
“We are here to celebrate as a class, a school and a community, your graduation from Syosset High School,” Durante began. “This is a night to celebrate all of your accomplishments and, at the same time, to acknowledge those who have played an integral role in getting you to your seat at this ceremony.”
Students stood and applauded their friends, family members and supporters who attended the event.
Principal Durante recognized the Daggett family at the ceremony and presented them with a diploma for their son, Ben Daggett, who passed away last year. He then led a moment of silence.
Principal Durante congratulated the students on their success and acknowledged their dedication.
“Students, as you step into the world beyond Syosset High School, I have every confidence that your stories will be characterized by courage, kindness and the commitment to making a positive impact.”
He continued, “I have seen the great work you’ve done both inside and outside the classroom, and I want you to know that I believe in you.”
Superintendent Thomas Rogers also spoke to the students. Not only did he congratulate all the seniors on their graduation, but he also took the time to thank retiring faculty members for their dedication to the school.
Additionally, members from the Board of Education—including President Carol Cheng, Trustee Susan Falkove, Trustee Lisa Coscia, and Trustee Anna Levitan—addressed the class.
Student representatives also spoke, including student government President Brandon Mun, senior class President Zehran Muqtadir, senior class speaker Sally Jamison, Salutatorian Scout Chen, and Valedictorian Griffin Hon. Mun and Muqtadir presented the senior class gift, an electronic sign to be displayed at the front entrance of the high school.
Students made sure to thank their teachers, administrators and classmates.
“We began high school behind computer screens after having a pretty sad drive-by middle school graduation,” said Class Speaker Sally Jamison. “Now we’re all sitting in rows at Hofstra, unmasked and ready to have our first real graduation.”
“Just as much as it’s human nature to understand that the vast majority of us are bound to be ordinary, it is also human nature to believe that somehow, we can beat the odds,” Hon said. “We all get imposter syndrome in one way or another, because we all attribute our failures to our greatest weaknesses, and our successes to sheer luck.”
“The difference between life and gambling is that in life, we change the odds. We can alter, shape, bend those numbers, those percentages, to our will,” he continued
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He took the time to celebrate the school’s successes, including this year’s sports championship victories, the orchestra and band’s statewide recognition, and outstanding student efforts in extracurriculars.
“Among this year’s graduating class are the future’s most promising singers, athletes, researchers, health professionals, public speakers, politicians, poets and everything in between.”
After the speeches were finished, all 560 Syosset graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. The commencement ceremony concluded with the traditional cap toss, and the students departed the Hofstra gymnasium as high school graduates.
