Mandalay Elementary Students, Wantagh High Schoolers Congratulate Each Other On Graduations In Ceremony

WANTAGH, NY — As graduation season rolls to a close, Wantagh students took part in a local tradition that bridges the gap between the outgoing seniors and their more junior classmates in the district: A “clap-out,” in which both student bodies applaud each other as they walk through a crowd of their classmates.

The clap-out took place June 25, with Wantagh seniors returning to the elementary school that they last attended in 2019. The senior class was able to get a second use out of their graduation caps and gowns, as well, walking along the driveway in front of Mandalay Elementary to cheers and applause from students in grades K-4, even exchanging the occasional handshake or high-five with members of the crowd.

Next up it was the fifth graders, wearing t-shirts commemorating their move up from fifth to sixth grade and processing through the crowd for a congratulatory walk of their own.