Check out this video slideshow to see more photos from the graduation!
On Saturday, June 24, Garden City High School’s Class of 2023 celebrated its graduation during the 89th annual commencement ceremony. Dressed in white, the senior class marched one by one into Garden City High School’s gymnasium as the band and orchestra performed “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1.”
The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by student council president Rory Heslin, followed by the senior chorale’s performance of the national anthem. Principal Kevin Steingruebner then welcomed the students, their parents and loved ones in his address. He encouraged students to continue being themselves and to go on and make the world a better place.
The first speaker to step to the podium was salutatorian Maria Santos. She reminisced about the class’s collective experiences growing up together and how, for the first time, they will now face new and exciting challenges.
“We’ve approached a special time in our lives where anything is possible,” she said. “We have infinite options open to us right now, and we have the privilege to screw up, to take risks. There’s no doubt in my mind that each and every one of us will end up exactly where we’re supposed to be.”
Class President Ana Bucevic presented Garden City High School with their class gift, a drone, as it flew above the podium. Next, Alex Colletti, the recipient of the Julia Maloney Scholarship, read his essay, “My Teacher, My Coach, and My Mentor, Mr. McDonald,” about his ninth grade geometry teacher and track coach.
Following his remarks, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kusum Sinha imparted invaluable lessons taken from the two people closest to her, her late father and brother. “The real wealth of life lies not within the degrees you’ll earn or the wealth you accumulate, but in the relationships you cultivate, the love you share, the time you give,” Dr. Sinha said. “Honor your relationships, be selfless in your love, strive to be the best in every role you undertake. Make the deliberate choice to connect. These are the moments that make our lives truly meaningful.”
Valedictorian James Vinciguerra then congratulated his fellow graduates on their shared accomplishment and emphasized the importance of making happiness their foremost goal postgraduation.
“We all possess the great power of choice in determining our future, so pursue your happiness vision and pursue it with vigor and determination, because you deserve it,” James said. “Our destiny is truly, finally, in our own hands.”
English teacher Carlo Rebolini addressed the students with a heartfelt keynote speech. “With love in your hearts, with beginning eyes, with the knowledge that all life is filled with blessings and with an appreciation for all that is beautiful, passionately embrace life and shape it to your own uniqueness,” Mr. Rebolini said.
The Board of Education presented diplomas to each senior as they excitedly walked to the front of the gymnasium. Following the senior chorale’s performance of “I’ll be There,” the Class of 2023 recessed and were officially declared graduates of Garden City High School. Congratulations Class of 2023!