William Floyd School District: 39 Seniors Become Newest WFHS Alumni, Graduation Rate Exceeds 91%

Press release from the William Floyd School District:

August 31, 2021

Members of the Class of 2021 are pictured moving their tassels to the left to mark their graduation. (Click photo above for more pictures from the ceremony).

This past Friday, August 28, 39 William Floyd High School seniors turned their tassels to the left becoming the newest alumni of William Floyd High School, joining approximately 650 of their peers from the Class of 2021. Graduates gathered in the high school auditorium to celebrate this accomplishment with family, friends, Board of Education members, and district and secondary administrators. With this latest group of graduates, the district has reached a 91.5% August graduation rate for the first time in its history.

After the ceremonial processional, the presentation of the colors by the William Floyd High School NJROTC and a student-led Pledge of Allegiance, John DeBenedetto, Floyd Academy principal and summer school co-principal, congratulated the 39 graduates and their families on this joyous occasion.

“The characteristics you displayed this summer – determination, perseverance and humility has been the guiding force which propelled you to today’s destination – graduation,” said Mr. DeBenedetto. “I hope you understand that today’s graduation ceremony is your final lesson from high school. It has demonstrated that with determination and support, anything is possible. For some, the journey to today’s graduation may not have been an easy one, but, clearly, you have demonstrated strength and commitment. You have faced adversity with true character. Let these character traits always remain the foundation of who you are. Believe in yourself, you are capable of doing more than you think and remember that hard work pays off!”

Two student speakers – Khalliyah Foggy and Thomas Greco, shared about the challenges that they faced along the way and what they overcame to accomplish their goals.

“There were many times I just wanted to take the easy road and give up,” said Khalliyah Foggy. “Fortunately, I had so many supportive teachers...who never gave up on me. One thing I learned is that I have the strength and ability to deal with anything that comes my way. All in all, I am so proud of myself and the rest of the class of 2021. I can’t wait to see where we end up and the goals we will accomplish.”

Thomas Greco shared that 2021 was a rough year for him academically and personally. “Instead of letting it take over me, I decided to stand up and face it. I got up and fought my way to get here today to be part of this ceremony. I can’t be any more proud of myself and everyone else who is graduating with me today. Graduating is proof that we are resilient and strong, and that we can get through tough challenges if we try; and that is exactly what we did.”

Summer school co-principal David Quartarone shared wisdom handed down to him from his grandfather, who said, “There is no such thing as luck in this life. The harder you work, the better your luck, plain and simple.” Mr. Quartarone added, “There is no shortcut to success. Hard work is the only way to achieve it. I, along with the rest of the Floyd family congratulate you for hard work and look forward to hearing about your many successes in the years to come.”

Lorraine Mentz, a trustee on the William Floyd Board of Education, who attended along with fellow trustees Robert Taiani and Angelo Cassarino, congratulated the students on reaching this monumental milestone. “We are proud of each and every one of you here today. Reaching this goal is difficult enough under the best of circumstances and reaching it during a pandemic gave you multiple layers of additional challenges,” said Mrs. Mentz. “We know what you all lost during your junior and senior years, which was incredibly frustrating with so many factors beyond your control. But you know what? You did it. Your hard work and commitment to reaching your goal – along with the help of your caring teachers, guidance counselors, administrators and other school personnel, is why you are sitting here today. It doesn’t matter if you graduate in January, June or August,” she added, “What matters is that you are a Class of 2021 graduate.”

Kevin Coster, superintendent of schools, William Floyd School District, credited parents, caregivers and families for their role in their helping their children achieve this milestone moment in their lives. Addressing the graduates, he said, “There are very few guarantees in life, but you have guaranteed something today – that this diploma is yours forever. You did it. Be proud, stand tall and always be William Floyd strong. Way to go!”

Class of 2021 August graduates: Javier Alfaro, Janes Moscoso Bolvito, Christopher Amaya Ricardo Nunez Ponce, Christopher F. Amaya, Kelly O’Grady, Nicholas Banks, Arly Ordonez Espana, Amber Li Calderon, Kelyn Osorio Hernandez, Hernan Canjura Bonilla, Daniel Oviedo, Theresa Carter, Dinora Pineda Rubio, Kahlik Coleman Johnson, Giovanna Pizzirusso, Josiah Eames, Daniel Polacek-Smith, Khalliyah Foggy, India Robinson, Kevin Gallego Alvarez, Martin Rojas, Tylia Green, Jeremiah Russell, Thomas Greco IV, Zill-E Seemab, Keyona King, Damian Silverio, Ziear Lacoude Miller, William Steve, Jayda Leggon, Camerin Strickland Forbes, Jefferson Leon Samaniego, Anna Vazquez, Tyler Manning, Mark Weiss Jr., Amari Morales, Honeika Welch and Alexis Westbay.

Follow this link for an album of photos and see below for a video of the event!

This press release was produced by the William Floyd School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.