677 New Rochelle HS Grads Honored During 125th Commencement Ceremony

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — A class that saw one challenge after another has triumphed in the end or as Valedictorian Julia Ecker said, "In the face of COVID-19, Hurricane Ida, the loss of our school library for three years, we could have looked down. But we looked up."

From the City School District of New Rochelle:

New Rochelle High School is proud to celebrate the graduating class of 2023 – a resilient class of students who have persevered and overcome many obstacles – including a rainy graduation day – to complete the academic requirements that on Friday made them the New Rochelle High School Class of 2023.

Festivities on Friday began at the high school’s McKenna Field with retiring faculty members leading the procession of graduates onto the field. A total of 677 degrees were conferred.

The students in this year’s class have many remarkable achievements. Among them:

• One student was named a National Merit Scholar Program Finalist
• 177 graduates will attend two-year colleges and 406 will attend four-year colleges in September
• Six graduates are headed to Ivy League schools: Brown, Cornell, Columbia, Princeton, and Yale
• 12 students will study at highly selective schools, including Duke, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgetown, Notre Dame, Southern California, Tufts, University of Chicago, Wake Forest, Wesleyan University, NYU, University of Michigan, William and Mary, Virginia Tech, Spelman, McGill, Howard, and Williams College.
• Eleven students are joining the military
• 38 graduates are heading straight to the workforce to begin their careers

In the Class of 2023:

• Students sat for 1,400 Advanced Placement examinations
• Students earned more than 800 college credits through 17 dual enrollment courses
• 257 graduates are receiving Advanced Regents diplomas
• 92 are receiving Advanced Regents diplomas with Honors
• 41 students earned the New York State Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, Italian, Arabic, Mandarin, and French 91 graduates are in the National Honor Society
• 90 graduates participated in the Performing and Visual Arts in Education program
• 12 graduates were part of the Science Research program

City School District of New Rochelle Superintendent Jonathan Raymond praised the graduates for their determination to succeed.

"You have overcome much to get here today: a global pandemic that interrupted your first year; remote learning that extended into your junior year after Hurricane Ida impacted our high school; and your own individual stories of challenges, perseverance, hopes, dreams, fears, and triumphs," Raymond said. "My hope for you is that you will cherish the friendships you have made during your school days and that you will use what you have learned here to further discover your gifts and perhaps your life’s purpose."

New Rochelle High School Principal Dr. Dagoberto Artiles lauded the students' resiliency.

"You have shown us that nothing will stand in your way to pursue your dreams and achieve your full potential," Artiles said. "Your presence here today is a demonstration of what life can offer if you have the courage and support to embrace change and weather unforeseen conditions."

"Some of you might not know just yet what is in store for you, and that’s okay," Board of Education President William Iannuzzi said. "The most important thing is to make sure you are happy with your decisions. Find your passion, explore the world. Find what makes you happy."

Student Government President Matthew Dodd reminded fellow graduates to be kind to themselves.

"As humans it's normal to make mistakes. Even when aware of right and wrong, things happen by accident or emotions take over," Dodd said. "To you graduates in whatever you do, just know as much as we hate them mistakes will happen. Some will be big and some will be small. Just know that as much as you let it weigh you down it will. So remember to forgive yourself and always push forward."

Students also offered encouragement and gratitude.

"If I learned one thing from New Rochelle High School these past four years, it has been to look up," Valedictorian Julia Ecker said. "In the face of COVID-19, Hurricane Ida, the loss of our school library for three years, we could have looked down. But we looked up."

"Now more than ever, it is imperative that we never take for granted how special it is to connect with others," said Salutatorian Leah Shefferman. "We created a community without even realizing it."

"We've memorized the halls, grown together, laughed together, and even cried together," Class of 2023 President Giovanni Lavaud said. "We have spent the last four years shaping our identities, exploring our passions, and developing lasting friendships."

After the speeches, each graduate’s name was called, degrees were conferred, and Board of Education President Iannuzzi accepted the Class of 2023 as graduation caps were tossed in the air.

Last week, the high school held senior award ceremonies honoring academic, extracurricular, and athletic achievement. At the event, 167 awards and $112,200 were given out in recognition of leadership, humanity, creativity, community spirit, citizenship and academic achievement.

This press release was produced by the City School District of New Rochelle. The views expressed here are the author’s own.