New Hyde Park Class of 2015 Graduates

New Hyde Park Memorial High School’s Class of 2015 were handed their diplomas during Sunday’s Commencement ceremony at Hofstra University.

Speakers included Sewanhaka Central High School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ralph Ferrie, Senior Class President Jalissa Sanchez and Principal Dr. Richard Faccio, who quoted “Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us” author Seth Godin during his remarks, encouraging students to be leaders in the future.

Salutatorian Morgan Roth played a game of truth or dare with her fellow graduates during her speech. “I’ll go first,” Roth said. “I dare you to become the person you’ve always envisioned yourself to be, I dare you to follow your dreams no matter how unrealistic others say they are and I dare you to pursue a career that brings you nothing but joy, not the richest person in the world.”

Valedictorian Jay Shah, who also served as the school’s Student Council President, spoke about what he learned during his time at New Hyde Park Memorial.

“Each and everyone of us can be a leader,” Shah said. “We need not change the lives of thousands, we only need to change the life of one. Sometimes all it takes is asking someone about their day, or lending a helping hand to a colleague in need or providing a shoulder for a friend to cry on. Success is not defined by how far we get in life, but rather it’s defined by how far the people around us get as a result of our assistance.”

The school’s Select Choir and Senior High School band performed during the ceremony, which continued with the awarding of diplomas and the traditional tossing of the caps.

Photo Captions:

1. Principal Dr. Richard Faccio and Sewanhaka Central High School District Superintendent of School Dr. Ralph Ferrie as they entered Hofstra for the school’s Commencement.
2. Members of the Class of 2015 waved to family members as they marched to “Pomp and Circumstance.”
3. Salutatorian Morgan Roth dared fellow graduates to become the person they always envisioned themselves to be.
4. Valedictorian Jay Shah upon receiving his diploma.
5. Pictured (l-r): Kiera Ward, Hailey Weihs and Sophia Weiss anxiously awaited the start of the ceremony
6. Students’ moved the tassels on their caps, signifying their graduation.

Photos courtesy of Sewanhaka Central High School District