By Erica Schwartz
Carle Place High School
Carle Place High School’s Class of 2024 graduated June 28 on the Joseph F. Coady Field at the high school.
Following the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the ceremony commenced with student Leah Kelly singing the national anthem. Several speakers delivered words of advice and praise to the graduates, including Superintendent Edward M. Cannone, Board of Education President Lawrence Zaino, Jr., valedictorian Jennarose Maglione, salutatorian Douglas Lin and Student Organization President Logan Martins, Class of 2024 President Tatiana Castillo spoke, and student Sehaj Singh.
Music students treated the audience to a lively performance of “Dance to the Music” by Sylvester Stewart.
Finally, retiring Principal Thomas DePaola addressed the students, sharing his reflections and heartfelt messages.
“Live your life, go out and try something new,” he said. “Jump into the water, just go for it, stop hesitating, no timidity, no regrets!”
Sewanhaka High School
Sewanhaka High School held its 94th annual graduation ceremony at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University on June 30.
Elliott Lamotte, president of the student council, led the audience in the Pledge of the Allegiance and the National Anthem. Matthew Cruz, a member of the senior class, and Dr. Thomas P. Dolan, superintendent of schools, delivered speeches before a performance from the high school orchestra. Salutatorian Madison DeMaio and valedictorian Isabelle Protopapas delivered addresses later in the ceremony.
Each year, Sewanhaka High School honors two graduating seniors with scholarship awards. The Harold W. Wright Memorial Award is presented to the graduating senior with the highest average score on the New York State Regents exams. This year, the award was presented to valedictorian Isabelle Protopapas. The Anthony T. Dwyer Scholarship Award is awarded to a football and lacrosse player who is an “outstanding student” and mirrors the values of the Sewanhaka community. This year’s award was given to Antonio Sicignano.
In addition to the standing annual honors, this year the first annual George Williams award was presented to Carmen Celogeon and Nasir McMillan for the very first time. Allen created this award in memory of her late father, George Williams, to ensure that “part of [her] is always part of Sewanhaka.”
New Hyde Park Memorial Junior Senior High School
New Hyde Park Memorial Junior Senior High School celebrated its graduating class at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University on June 30.
Dr. Richard J. Faccio, principal of New Hyde Park Memorial High School, led the ceremony.
Dr. Thomas P. Dolan, superintendent of schools, spoke, in addition to Brandon Noguera, senior class president, Anthony LaSala, student council president, and Nathaniel Park, salutatorian. The ceremony was filled with music, featuring performances from the chorus of “A Million Dreams” by Benjamin Pasek and Justin Paul and “Festivus Sanctus” by John Leavitt, and a performance by the band of music from The Incredibles.
Valedictorian Aparna Shibu delivered the last speech of the ceremony before she and her classmates received their diplomas.
“Today, and this year, is truly ours. As we take our step into pursuing our dreams, let us always remember the small things that made our experiences at NHP so special,” she said.
Floral Park Memorial High School
Floral Park Memorial High School honored its class of 2024 graduates on June 29 at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University.
The Floral Park class of 2024’s valedictorian is Maya Barravecchio and the salutatorian is Ayushi Das. Barravecchio will be attending Boston College in the fall to study biology. Das will be attending Yale University. Her major is currently undecided.
Westbury High School
Westbury High School held its graduation ceremony for the Class of 2024 at the Tilles Center on June 28.
Principal David Zimbler led the ceremony. Floyd Ewing III, vice president of the Westbury School District Board of Education, delivered the first speech of the commencement ceremony. Salutatorian Areej Nawaz and valedictorian Linda Lu were each awarded a medal for their academic achievement before addressing the crowd. This year’s keynote speaker was Nairoba Grant, a graduate of the Westbury High School class of 2008
Dr. Tahira A. DuPree Chase, superintendent of Westbury School District delivered some final words to the graduating class.
“In the next few minutes, you’ll be entering the world and you will be gifting the world with your brilliance, with your boldness, with your beauty, with your grit,” she said. “I want you to remember to operate in your gift in everything you do.”
(Photo from the Westbury School District)
Elmont Memorial Junior Senior High School
Elmont Memorial High School celebrated the Class of 2024’s graduation at David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University on June 30.
Marya Baker, principal of Elmont Memorial High School, welcomed graduates, family, and friends to the ceremony. Adaezem Ubani, president of the student body, led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem. Salutatorian Danielle Sattaur, valedictorian Yusef Lateef, and Dr. Thomas P. Dolan, interim superintendent of Sewanhaka School District, delivered speeches to the graduating class and their guests. Before the students received their diplomas, the senior select choir performed Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror.”
H. Frank Carey High School
H. Frank Carey High School’s 2024 graduation ceremony was held at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University on June 29.
Principal Jennifer Alaimo led the ceremony, delivering her own words of appreciation to the class of 2024 and their families before introducing superintendent Dr. Thomas P. Dolan to address the graduating class. Multiple students spoke at the ceremony, including valedictorian Michelle Zheng, salutatorian Grace Leimgruber, senior class president Zaara Khan, and Cormac Govaert, student government president of the class of 2024.
In addition to speeches from graduating seniors, the graduation also featured songs from seniors. Sherly Cano and Angelina Jacob took the choral risers to perform the song, “For Good,” by Stephen Schwartz. The ceremony also featured a choral performance of “I See the Light” and a band performance of “How Far I’ll Go.”
