Wantagh High School Graduation 2016

Members of Wantagh High School's Class of 2016 are now officially high school graduates.

The 61st commencement ceremony took place on Thursday, June 23 at Nassau Community College.

During the event, the attendees heard from Principal Carolyn Breivogel, Superintendent of Schools Maureen Goldberg, Board President Ann-Marie Sturniolo, senior class co-Presidents Christopher Mountanos and Rachel Obergh, Salutatorian Sophia Liu and Valedictorian Lauren Bednor.

Breivogel started off by welcoming the Class of 2016 and their guests and reminded the graduates, “your character and name are your most prized possessions.”

Goldberg, using the metaphor of a ball of yarn, explained that there will be many milestones and twists.

“The greatest twist is the unraveling of the line into the real world,” she said.

Afterwards, Sturniolo offered her top 10 list of advice, urging the students to thank their parents, practice having an open mind, to take chances, know that character, integrity and respect are earned and more.

She was followed by Mountanos and Obergh reminded the class of how far they have come through the support of one another.

Liu was up next, asking the question, “What have we, as individual students sitting here, done to deserve this life?” She continued by urging the students to, “Prove to yourself and the world that you deserved the privilege by being the best you can possibly be.”

Finally, Bednor encouraged her peers to do a self-check once in a while and to reach for balance in their lives.

“Are we maintaining a balance and staying grounded?” she asked. “This is just as important as anything else we strive for.”

The 268 graduates then all received their diplomas, distributed by Goldberg and Sturniolo.

Congratulations to all the graduates!

Photo Captions:

A: Wantagh graduates Christopher Mountanos and Lauren Farrell conducted the band for the last time during the district’s commencement exercises.

B: Board of Education Vice President Michael Cucci and Wantagh Scholarship Fund Vice President Laura Memisha granted (from left) Emily Latif, Brendan von Runnen, Andrew Eget, Julia Sileo, Peter Albanese, Samara Kalmus, Gillian Chowske, Alexis Ward, Natalie Bloniarz and Christina Weber with Wantagh Dollars for Scholars awards.

C: Wantagh High School graduate Ruth Kepperberg received the Dr. Jeannette Stern Scholarship from the Wantagh Foundation for Educational Excellence and is pictured with Executive Director Ralph Spagnolo.

D: Senior class co-presidents Rachel Obergh and Christopher Mountanos entertained their peers with a trip down memory lane.

E: Valedictorian Lauren Bednor and salutatorian Sophia Liu addressed the Class of 2016 during Wantagh High School’s commencement exercises at Nassau Community College.

F: Graduate Jordan Marie Haas received her diploma from Wantagh Board of Education President Ann-Marie Sturniolo as high school principal Carolyn Breivogel looked on.

Photos courtesy of the Wantagh School District