East Rockaway School District

East Rockaway High School Celebrates Class of 2024 Graduation

On June 26, East Rockaway High School held its graduation ceremony outside on the football field. As the traditional Pomp and Circumstance played, students processed onto the track, greeted by the cheers of family and friends filling the stands.

The ceremony began with the national anthem, sung by the senior chorus, followed by their rendition of You've Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman. Superintendent James DeTommaso and Board of Education President Dominick Vulpus offered welcoming remarks, setting the stage for the speeches to come.

Kevin Lynch, the salutatorian, delivered a thoughtful address, followed by valedictorian Jordan Lu's inspiring speech. Senior class advisors Emmanuela Matthews and Grayson Valentino provided a heartfelt send-off, while senior class co-presidents Frank Passanisi and Molly Hernandez added a touch of humor. Passanisi made everyone laugh by thanking Hernandez for catching his mistake before he ordered class t-shirts with the wrong graduation year.

Superintendent DeTommaso praised the class's achievements, noting their scholar-athletes, recipients of the NY State seals of biliteracy and civic readiness, theater and concert performances, academic scholarships, and community service. "Always remember that as a Rock, you possess resilience and strength to overcome anything, he said. May your journey ahead be filled with purpose, joy, and a rock-solid belief in your boundless potential."

Principal Richard Schaffer received thunderous applause and cheers from parents when he urged students to disconnect from their cell phones. "There is no true joy to be found in your cell phone," he said. "Endless scrolling and texting may bring temporary enjoyment, but in the end, it is not happiness. So please, put down your cell phone once in a while. Have face-to-face conversations with your friends and family. Make time to unplug; I guarantee that will make you happy."

Diplomas were then presented by members of the Board of Education, and Principal Schaffer officially declared the students graduated. The ceremony concluded with graduates moving their tassels from right to left and joyfully tossing their caps into the air, marking the end of their high school journey and the beginning of their next chapter.