Billy Joel Speaks At Hicksville High School Graduation

Musician and Hicksville High School alumnus Billy Joel was among those to watch the Class of 2017 graduate at the annual commencement ceremony held this past weekend.

Joel, who was presented with a gift basket of Hicksville High School-themed paraphernalia by Principal Raymond Williams before the ceremony, joined district administrators on the dais to watch students march out to the melodious tune of “Pomp and Circumstance” and take their seats in the gymnasium.

After members of the chorus sang the national anthem, Williams encouraged the graduates to continue realizing their dreams and quoted author Marianne Williamson in his address: “It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We are all meant to shine. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous. Actually, who are you not to be?’”

“Passion, combined with practice and grit, will lead to success,” Williams continued. “It is the passion that serves as your fuel, the fuel to keep you going even when you get knocked down. The difference between failing and successful people is being able to find a way to regroup. Surround yourself with people who tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear, and never give up.”

In his speech, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carl Bonuso also spoke about the importance of passion, and said that another crucial component for success is compassion.

When passion and compassion are combined and individuals are able to spread a smile or a kind word, he said, both sunny and rainy days are manageable.

Board Vice President Brenda Judson expressed excitement about the new beginnings that await the graduates.

“You are ready to start a new chapter in your lives — a chapter where you write your own stories,” she said. “Your future is yours and you will experience enormous joy in creating your own life. Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. When you are determined to succeed, you will handle everything that comes in your way.”

In their addresses, valedictorian Awaiss Butt and salutatorian Sailesh Srinivas spoke to their classmates about the fond memories they have of their high school years, praised school staff for their incredible support system, and wished their peers continued success in the future.

“Take risks and don’t let opportunities go to waste,” Butt said. “Work hard pursuing your ambitions and never forget to appreciate those who help you along the way. Block out outside noise that may hinder you from achieving your dreams. As Kobe Bryant said, ‘everything negative — pressure, challenges — is all an opportunity for me to rise.’”

“We have formed a lifelong bond,” Srinivas said. “Think about all the laughs, adventures and hardships we have gone through with the friends surrounding you. I hope you remember that no one has ever existed exactly like yourself, the way you were born. Each one of you has something that this world, no, this universe, has never seen before. We can go anywhere.”

Following a performance by chorus students of one of his hit songs, “The Longest Time,” Joel spoke to the graduates about the importance of finding a passion and doing a job they would enjoy.

“Right now, you are probably at the height of your idealism,” Joel said. “You need to know what the right thing to do is. You may know what the smart thing to do is, you may know what the convenient thing to do is, you may know what the lucrative thing to do is. But you may not always know the right thing. Who you are today is going to be very important later on in life. Pick a job that you love, if you can. I’m lucky I picked a good job. I had a teacher here at Hicksville High who inspired me to become a musician.”

The students were individually called upon to receive their diplomas and then collectively moved their tassels from right to left afterward.

After an ovation from the crowd, the graduates then ceremoniously tossed their hats high into the air.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

Photo Captions:

1: Billy Joel and Hicksville High School Principal Raymond Williams.

Photos courtesy of Hicksville Public Schools