IB Diploma Students Recognized At Northport HS Ceremony

NORTHPORT, NY — The Northport High School Class of 2023 International Baccalaureate Diploma graduates was honored at an annual ceremony, the school district announced.

Students received their IB diplomas and were applauded by their teachers and families for completing the rigorous requirements of the program.

After hearing from IB Coordinator Anna Kessler, several students received special awards
presented by their teachers.

Jennifer Martin and Robert Rada received the Deborah A. Shavalier memorial scholarship worth $1,000 each. Alina Meadows and Todd Petry were awarded the Theory of Knowledge award, while Luca Bergin and Anna Tumbarello received the Creativity, Activity & Service award. John Dwyer and Ella Piscatello received the IB faculty recognition as well.

Following the awards, senior Ava Mir was invited to address her fellow diploma candidates.
Beginning her speech with an AI generated version, she poked fun at the use of AI in schools and
acknowledged that no technology can possibly fully grasp the unique experiences they shared as
students.

"I included the AI portion to stress the importance of storytelling, human narratives and
connection," she said.

Mir then shared insight into the many shared experiences the candidates had throughout their time at Northport High School and reflected on what was yet to come.

"When I think about our next chapters in life, I feel emotional yet excited," Mir said. "With IB under our belts, open minds and hearts, trained to interact with people from a plethora of backgrounds, we are quite literally ready to take on the word."

Fellow senior Nick Crafa was also invited to address his peers and spoke about how students bond with each other over the challenges of being enrolled in the IB program.

"My favorite part of the IB diploma is the relationships we get to form with each other; with people we wouldn’t have even known if not for this program," he said.

Students were then invited one by one to receive their diplomas. The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is an internationally recognized curriculum that offers 11th and 12th grade students an opportunity to earn the IB Diploma or one or more IB Certificates. To earn the IB Diploma, students must complete and test in six IB subjects; write an extended essay of
independent research guided by a faculty mentor; complete 150 hours of creativity, activity, and service activities (CAS); and participate in a critical thinking course called Theory of Knowledge.

This advanced, comprehensive program of study offers an integrated approach to learning across
disciplines, allowing students to develop a broad set of skills that will prepare them for college and
beyond.

Below is a list of students recognized: