H. Frank Carey High School Class Of 2019 Celebrated

FRANKLIN SQUARE, NY—Family members and friends of H. Frank Carey High School’s senior class celebrated their commencement at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University on June 30, the Sewanhaka Central High School District announced via press release.

Those in attendance heard speeches from Class of 2019 senior class president Benjamin Wettstein, student government president Christopher Perdios and salutatorian Robert Humrich, who quoted Alexander Graham Bell to his fellow classmates.

“‘When one door closes, another door opens, but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon
the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us,’” Humrich said. “Each and every one of you is going to look back at your time at Carey High School and miss it. But you can’t let any of that prevent you from living your life, succeeding and, most importantly, being happy.”

During her valedictory address, Clare Schwarzenberg spoke about the challenges of senior year, worrying about test scores, college acceptances and the cost of college tuition. She reminded her peers they were more than numbers.

“We are more than any GPA, SAT score, games won in a season or number of college acceptances,” she said. “We are the memories we’ve made, the passions we’ve discovered and the friendships we hold in our hearts. We are the hours we’ve spent volunteering, the laughter we’ve spread, the care we show for others and the endless support we’ve received from our families.”

Principal Christopher Fiore congratulated the graduates and presented the James A. DeSonne Award to Nicholas Giacalone and Mark Spano, the John E. London Award to Khalia Muir, the Principal’s Award to Erin Mehr and Elizabeth Sardes, and the Hall of Fame Award to Christopher Perdios.

Sewanhaka Central High School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ralph Ferrie also addressed students. Ferrie encouraged them to persevere through whatever challenges they face.

Several seniors from the school’s Superintendent’s Advisory Council recognized the contributions of Ferrie, who is retiring. The seniors thanked Ferrie for listening to them and said they couldn’t have reached their potential without him.

The momentous event was accentuated with beautiful music by the senior high band and chorus, as well as an outstanding solo performance from senior Courtney Dunn. It concluded with the conferring of diplomas and the tossing of their graduation caps upward.