John F. Kennedy High School Class of 2016 Graduates

Plainview, NY (July 7, 2016)—The Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District (POB) recently held its commencement ceremony for John F. Kennedy High School(JFK) School’s Class of 2016 at Long Island University-C.W. Post’s Tilles Center. More than 375 students gathered in graduation gowns and decorated caps to celebrate the completion of their high school careers.

“We are unbelievably proud of the Class of 2016 and anxiously anticipate seeing all they accomplish in the years to come,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lorna Lewis. “This year’s class should be commended for their dedication to their studies and their commitment to community service, athletics, the arts and all of the extracurricular programs available within our District. Congratulations to all of our graduating students.”

During the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Lewis, Principal James Murray and Board of Education Trustee Emily Schulman addressed the graduating class with words of wisdom. JFK High School’s Class of 2016 valedictorian Michael Crawbuck, salutatorian Anna Vaynrub, senior class president Jamie Simon and schoolwide student government president Jason Kimmel reminisced and discussed the futures awaiting their fellow classmates during their speeches.

The ceremony began with a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the senior choir. The choir was then joined by senior members from the school’s American Sign Language program for accompaniment, and the students signed along with the choir for one musical selection titled, “A Parting Blessing.”

During the ceremony, graduates and guests were treated to a violin performance by graduate Gyu Ri Lee. Gyu has received numerous accolades for her musical talent throughout her high school career, including earning recognition as concertmaster for the NAfME (National Association for Music Education) All-National Honors Orchestra, the Division 5 All-County Orchestra and the POBJFK High School Orchestra. She was the 2016 recipient of POB’s National School Orchestra Award, is an alumnus of the Mannes School of Music Pre-College Division in NYC, and has performed in Carnegie Hall as a winner of four international competitions.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, students traditionally switched the position of their tassels and tossed their decorated caps into the air in celebration.

Photo 1: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School’s Class of 2016 valedictorian Michael Crawbuck (center) is congratulated by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Lorna Lewis (left) and Principal James Murray (right) during his commencement at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 2: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School (POB) District John F. Kennedy High School’s Class of 2016 Valedictorian Michael Crawbuck (center) is a third generation POB graduate proceeding his father (second from right) and grandfather (second from left.) The commencement ceremony was held at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 3: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School’s Principal James Murray addressed the more than 375 students graduating from the class of 2016 at the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 4: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School senior students celebrate their graduation with family and friends at the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 5: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School senior students celebrate their graduation with family and friends at the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 6: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School senior students celebrate their graduation with family and friends at the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 7: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School senior Anna Vaynrub addressed her fellow classmates as the Class of 2016 salutatorian at the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 8: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School students decorated their graduation caps in preparation of their commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016. At the conclusion of the ceremony, the students ceremoniously switched the position of their tassels and tossed their decorated caps into the air in celebration.

Photo 9: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School senior choir began the ceremony with a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” for guests and fellow graduates at the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 10: During the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center, Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District’s John F. Kennedy High School senior choir was joined by the senior members of the school’s American Sign Language program to perform the musical selection, “A Parting Blessing.”

Photo 11: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School senior Jamie Simon addressed her fellow classmates as the Class of 2016 senior class president at the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 12: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District John F. Kennedy High School senior Jason Kimmel addressed his fellow classmates as the Class of 2016 schoolwide student government president at the commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.

Photo 13: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School (POB) District graduate Gyu Ri Lee performed during John F. Kennedy High School’s commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016. Lee received numerous accolades for her musical talents throughout her career at POB.

Photo 14: Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District Board of Education Trustee Emily Schulman addressed the John F. Kennedy High School class of 2016 at their commencement ceremony at the Tilles Center on June 26, 2016.