Massapequa High School Graduation 2017

A total of 613 seniors graduated from Massapequa High School during the 61st commencement held at at Hofstra University last weekend.

The milestone marked a new beginning in their lives, as the graduates will head to college, join the workforce or enlist in the armed services.

“Our senior class represents an outstanding composition of students who will go in diverse directions,” Principal Patrick DiClemente said during the ceremony on June 19.

Valedictorian Daniel Urli told his peers that they all have so much more left to accomplish in their lives.

The top-ranked senior encouraged them to follow their passions, expand their boundaries and have some fun along the way.

Christopher Hadsall, salutatorian of the Class of 2017, said that the journey from kindergartners to high school graduates has made them all a little more human.

They demonstrated humility and determination, longed for companionship, searched for inspiration and celebrated achievements.

“We made it,” he said. “The light at the end of the tunnel is shining brightly upon us.”

General Organization President Kristen Ader compared navigating high school to learning how to drive, and senior year was like “your parents handing you the keys to your car and letting you go.” She reminded her classmates that as they begin new chapters in their lives that the journey is just as important as the destination.

Following the presentations of awards to recognize one student in each subject area, the graduates received their diplomas, moved their tassels from right to left and joined the ranks of Massapequa High School alumni.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017!

Photo Captions:

1: Senior members of Massapequa High School’s Chordettes and Crooners sung the national anthem at the start of the graduation ceremony on June 19.

2: Daniel Urli, left, and Christopher Hadsall were the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of the Class of 2017.

3: Board of Education President Maryanne Fisher congratulated graduate Dominic Catapano.

4: Seniors were excited to be a part of the 61st class to graduate from Massapequa High School.

5: General Organization President Kristen Ader had words of encouragement for her classmates.

Photos courtesy of Massapequa School District