Nyack High School Graduates Bid Farewell

On the picturesque MacCalman Field, 178 seniors graduated from Nyack High School Thursday. 

Unlike most graduating classes, in addition to its valedictorian, the class of 2013 had not one, but two salutatorians. 

When Aniruddh Marellapudi came to the podium, he made a joke at his own expense for being the second salutatorian to give a speech. 

"If one salutatorian speech wasn't enough, here I am," Marellapudi said. His speech went down a sentimental road and expressing inspirational words.

He encouraged his classmates to takes risks in their lives by quoting Mark Twain. 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do," Marellapudi quoted. 

Superintendent of the Nyack School District James Montesano gave remarks to the class as well, encouraging the students to aim to exceed their expectations of themselves.  

"You have opportunities that weren't available to those before you," said Montesano. “The world is yours, and there is nothing that can hold you back."

Montesano also offered a lighthearted piece of advice for the promising graduates.

“If at first you don’t succeed, always remember to do it as your mother told you to do it the first time,” said Montesano.