Levittown Seniors Reflect On High School, Look Ahead To The Future On Graduation Day

LEVITTOWN, NY — June 20 was graduation day in Levittown, with seniors from Division Avenue and MacArthur high schools bringing a chapter of their academic careers to a close in a ceremony at Hofstra University. It was the 67th commencement ceremony for Division Avenue, and the 65th for MacArthur.

The ceremony began with students walking into the David Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex, surrounded by their families and friends before being serenaded by members of the senior class choirs from both schools with a rendition of the national anthem.

When the time came for commencement addresses, MacArthur Principal Joseph Sheehan and Division Avenue principal Jeffrey Myers offered words of wisdom for the students about to embark on new journeys.

“Today, you stand on the threshold of a new chapter in your lives, filled with dreams, aspirations and opportunities,” Sheehan said. “You are well prepared to take your next steps with courage and conviction and make choices that will shape your future and define your impact on the world.”

For his part, Myers highlighted encouraged students to remember the community that had formed around each student while they were busy with tests, papers and homework assignments.

“It’s not just about brains, awards, championships, performances or college acceptances,” Myers said. “It’s about being part of something bigger than yourself.”

For Levittown superintendent Toodd Winch, the day was an opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary things the graduates had achieved thus far, while reminding them that the course of their life will be dictated by more than those achievements.

“The degree you earn, the business you build or the rank you achieve may shape your career,” Winch said, “but your character will shape every relationship you have, every decision you make, and ultimately, the legacy you leave behind.”

As for the students, valedictorians Meaghan Campbell and Nish Keer, salutatorians Sara Duda and Andrew Zhao and class presidents Anthony Ross and Isabella Montes all took to the stage to offer the graduating perspective.

For Duda, it was a day that commemorated growth that may have been hard to notice as it was happening.

“Growth rarely happens all at once — it comes little by little through challenges, setbacks and new responsibilities,” Duda said. “Looking around today, it’s clear that every person in this class has changed since the day we first walked through MacArthur’s doors.”

Meanwhile, Zhao reflected on the continued effort it had taken for him and his classmates to reach the stage Saturday.

“Over time, we learned that getting here was really about the smaller things: showing up, keeping up, trying again and taking responsibility for what comes next,” Zhao said.

As for what comes next, Campbell, the valedictorian, had some advice for her classmates on that front:

“This is your chance to leave the labels and expectations and create a future that is
limitless,” Campbell said. “Be proud of who you are and craft a future that will let you explore who you can be…you aren’t a static figure.”

Once student speeches concluded, graduates from MacArthur and Division alike walked across the stage to accept their diplomas.