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Members of the graduation class formed a virtual sea of yellow and blue as they sat for the commencement; several sported artwork on their mortarboards. A large crowd of cheering onlookers sat in the bleachers.
Student speakers used their addresses to look back on what the graduates have gone through and with what lies ahead.
“Today we are young enough to go out and achieve anything we want in life," said Senior Class President Robert Bensburg. "Our parents’ jobs are done. It is our time to take responsibility of our own futures."
Salutatorian Connie Morizio, who talked about driving as a comparison for navigating through life, praised her class for its virtues and spirit.
“Our class has endured many difficult challenges, both individually and collectively, and much has been said and written about us," she sad. "But when I remember our class, I will remember the breadth and richness of its talent – academic, athletic, musical, theatrical – and above all I will remember our class spirit and commitment to community service and to causes larger than ourselves.”
Following her speech, Morizio posed for a selfie with Valedictorian Mikaela DiBello and hugged her before handing over the podium.
In her speech, DiBello noted that change that the class has undergone, which included a rise in confidence as students rose through grades. DiBello also stressed the importance of the memories garnered in high school.
“Over the past four years, we’ve all grown as individuals and as a group," she said. "This, right now, is the end result of our high school journey. But the journey itself is the aspect that truly matters.”
MOST President Katherine Bensburg, who presented the graduating class, praised the litany of student groups that her class was comprised of.
“I know that our class consists of a good bunch of kids: students who have challenged themselves academically; diligent athletes who have worked hard on and off the field to make Mahopac proud; dedicated Maniacs who have filled bleachers; talented musicians, singers, actors and dancers who have put on numerous performances; amazing artists who have embellished our school; unselfish volunteers who have completed over 35,000 hours of community service; and brave, young adults that will be joining our armed forces.”
Members of the class who are going to serve in the military were offered special recognition when they were asked for stand up towards the end of commencement.
Principal Adam Pease noted the contributions of community members to good things that happened for the school.
“Many of those good things happened because of all of you, because of our community that supports our students and schools, because of our parents who get involved in the education of our kids, because of our talented faculty and staff, and because of our dedicated students,” he said.
Interim Schools Superintendent Brian Monahan offered congratulations. Monahan, whose term ends on June 30, noted that he and the graduates has something in common.
“We are both moving on."
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