As the Carle Place High School Class of 2016 came together one last time to celebrate their commencement, one common theme ran through the ceremony. Through their years together, the 101 members of this extraordinary class had formed a deep bond, supporting each other through triumphs and tragedies.
At the start of the ceremony, class representatives joined PTA President Christine Imrie to release a box of butterflies to honor the memory of classmates’ parents who are sadly no longer with us.
Board of Education President Barry Dennis congratulated the graduates for always acting with compassion and passion. He also paid tribute to retiring staff members, including Cherry Lane Elementary Principal Marilyn Manfredi.
Salutatorian Jesse Lu recounted the memories they had shared and encouraged them to welcome the new opportunities that await them.
“Always remember where you came from. And always remember where you are going,” she said. “Keep working hard, dream big and follow your heart.”
Jesse’s twin sister Lucy Lu was then invited to give the valedictory address. She recalled the dedication, determination, compassion and spirit of adventure that defined their class.
“Within all of us are passionate, caring open-minded people who will no doubt travel new paths and leave our own legacies behind,” she said.
Recounting some of the storms they had weathered together over the past 13 years, Superintendent of Schools David Flatley advised them as they go forward to continue to turn storms into successes.
Senior Kacey Burden delivered the farewell address, speaking of the yin and yang that defined their years together.
“Life is full of ups and downs,” she said. “But in the middle of our most distressing times, we knew we could always count on one thing—each other.”
Principal Thomas DePaola praised this class for its winning combination of intelligence and good character. He ended with a poem titled “Moving On,” dedicated to the shared journey of graduating seniors and retiring staff members.
“Young and old, we have memories to hold and we keep moving on,” he said. “Never forgetting where we’ve been ‘cause it’s part of who we are.”
One by one, the proud graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas, exchanging handshakes and hugs with board members, administrators and teachers. Then in one last act of unity, they flung their mortarboards into the air to a thunderous round of applause.
—Submitted by the Carle Place School District
