Graduations

The Northport High School class of 2021 celebrated their graduation on Saturday, June 26, alongside their peers and families at Tiger Stadium. Seniors gathered to be recognized for their accomplishments and receive their diplomas following four years of hard work. 

Principal Daniel Danbusky reflected on the unique circumstances that students were working under this year and emphasized that he hopes this experience will teach students about how to rethink what they have learned and adapt to the situations that lie in front of them. 

“As we have moved through the last four years, I hope your dreams have been realized and have come alive,” Danbusky said. “As you leave us, I charge you to find problems that need to be solved, rethink their solutions and allow pursuit to help shape you as you mature.”

 Salutatorian Griffin Crafa and valedictorian Ian Kaish spoke to their classmates as well, providing words of encouragement and reflection, both on their time at Northport High School and looking ahead into the future.

“The unknown can be terrifying, but it can also be exhilarating,” Kaish said. “We have learned this from our time in Northport High School.”

He added, “It’s very easy to get caught up in wanting to succeed, but the only real way to succeed is by learning to embrace the journey and discovery.”

Performances by the Northport High School choir ensued as students tossed their caps to commemorate their last moments as high schoolers and celebrated the beginning of their next chapter.

Commack seniors and their families headed to the Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium Stadium at Stony Brook University June 25 for their graduation ceremony.

The Commack School District left words of advice for the graduates on the district’s. website.

“Take advantage of all the opportunities that life presents you; push yourself out of your comfort zone every once in awhile; continue to surround yourself with a strong support system while never hesitating to lift others up when they need it; and be sure to utilize these very important words every single day — please, thank you, and I’m sorry. Stay curious, stay humble, stay grounded, and most importantly — stay true to yourself!”

The Hauppauge Eagles celebrated their graduation on the school’s football field June 25. 

Among the speakers were Principal Chris Cook, board of education member Michael Buscarino, Superintendent Dennis O’ Hara, valedictorian Melody Chang and salutatorian Alexander Vasilakopoulos.

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Photo from SWRSD

Graduating from Shoreham-Wading River High School, Mika Misawa will be leaving with the honor of being named valedictorian and a 103.7 weighted GPA. 

She will be part of the incoming freshman class at Cornell University’s College of Arts and Sciences this fall. 

As a member of the varsity girls tennis team, Journalism Club, President of the Global Awareness club, editor-in-chief of the Global Awareness Club’s monthly newsletter, co-president of Women in Science and Engineering, Mathletes and the Tri-M Music honor society, Mika has always had an immense involvement in her school and community.

In her high school career, Mika took 13 AP courses, four honors courses and a college level course through Stony Brook University. 

Photo from SWRSD

As a brilliant mathematics student, Mika was also named a Long Island Young Scholar of Mathematics by the Institute of Creative Problem Solving for Gifted and Talented Students.

Her enthusiasm for succeeding in school translated into her music career as well, as she was selected for the National Association for Music Education All-Eastern Honors Ensemble Orchestra and the New York State School Music Association All-State Festival. 

Alongside Mika, valedictorian Owen Beran will be graduating also with a weighted GPA of 103.7.

As the team captain of the golf team and a member of the lacrosse team, Owen was able to be successful in all realms of his high school career. He has taken nine AP courses, four honors courses, and is the vice president of the National Honor Society.

However, his involvement doesn’t stop there. He was also the class of 2021 treasurer and a member of the Mathletes, Natural Helpers, the Robotics Club and the Student Advisory group. 

Not only was Owen heavily involved with his school, but his community as well. His community involvement includes volunteering for St. John’s Church Gathering Inn, Thomas Cutinella Memorial Patriot Run, Lax Out Cancer, Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue, and Nexus-Animal Outreach.

With a passion for helping his community and furthering himself academically, Owen plans to attend the United States Naval Academy, where he will be majoring in nuclear engineering. 

Daniel Julian has been named salutatorian, graduating with a weighted GPA of 103.4. 

Photo from SWRSD

Discovering his passion for science and mathematics in tenth grade after taking an AP chemistry course, Daniel knew Stony Brook University’s STEM program would be his first-choice college.

“I chose chemistry as my major as a result of my love and ability for the subject and my love for science and mathematics as a whole,” he said. 

In the near future, Julian aspires to become an educator or researcher in the field of nuclear science and plans on pursuing graduate work in the sciences or science education. 

Additionally, the high school gave Daniel an opportunity to pursue his other passion, music. As a skilled jazz player, Julian played in the high school instrumental jazz ensemble in grades 9-12 for SCMEA All-County.

He was also selected as the baritone sax player and an alternate alto sax player with the NYSSMA All-State Instrumental Jazz Ensemble.

“For me, school concerts and other musical performances were special to me as playing in the Shoreham-Wading River High School’s bands gave me opportunities to contribute to my community through music and express myself artistically,” Daniel said. 

Photo from SWRSD

Some of his special experiences At Shoreham-Wading River included working on a research project involving epigenetics with one of his most influential AP biology teachers, Dr. Neff. 

Looking forward to his fall semester in Stony Brook to study chemistry, he is excited to focus on the subjects he is most passionate about on a more advanced level. 

“I enjoyed my time in high school taking multiple classes in various subjects, but I am looking forward to having a more specific focus on math and science as they are where my passion lies,” Daniel said.

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Rocky Point High School announced that Ashlynne Xavier and Fiona McEvoy have been named the class of 2021 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively.

Valedictorian Ashlynne Xavier has made the most out of her high school career. She has taken part in Stony Brook University’s Women in Science and Engineering program and the high school’s science research program. She plays viola in the pit orchestra, is a member of the Human Rights Club and has played soccer and lacrosse at both the junior varsity and varsity levels.

Photo from RPSD

Ashlynne is a National Merit Scholarship recipient. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society and the New York State Mathematics Honor Society and is on the Principals Honor Roll. She has received a Long Island Science Congress Merit Award and an East End Arts Teeny Award. She has been honored with a Research and Innovation Grant and a Rush Rhees Scholarship through the University of Rochester.

Ashlynne’s interests in the community include playing lacrosse with the Long Island Yellow Jackets, being a mission team member and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity through her church and holding a job as a veterinary assistant and a store associate.

Salutatorian Fiona McEvoy also has an impressive high school résumé as a National Honor Society, National English Honor Society and New York State Mathematics Honor Society member. She is the Class of 2021 Student Government treasurer. She was also a participant in the Women in Science and Engineering program at Stony Brook University in addition to the university’s iSTEM program. 

Photo from RPSD

Fiona participated in the high school’s Debate Club, Human Rights Club, Mock Trial and Student Government. She was a member of the varsity track team and junior varsity soccer team. She has held positions in the local community and has received various honors and certificates for her volunteer service, including a Long Island Science Congress Achievement Award. Fiona attended the SPARK Research Program at Brookhaven National Laboratory, was a student facilitator at the Human Rights Institute at Iona College and was a presenter at the high school’s annual Science Research Symposium. She also attended the Adelphi University Pre-College Program for Science Medicine and Health and the Lebanon Valley College Health and Biomedical Sciences Summer Camp.

Following graduation, Ashlynne is bound for the University of Rochester where she plans to major in biomedical engineering with possible minors in American Sign Language, music or political science. Fiona is headed to Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where she plans to major in chemistry on the pre-med track.

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Mount Sinai High School. File photo by Kevin Redding

Elaina Varriale has been named Mount Sinai High School’s class of 2021 valedictorian. 

Photo from MSSD

She said began getting involved with the school during her freshman year with the student government, staying in the club throughout her four years and serving as acting president during her senior year. Involved with both music and sports, she played volleyball and was a member of chamber orchestra. A member of the National Honor Society, she became held the title of secretary.

With an overall GPA well-above 104, she will be attending Cornell University in the fall, studying in the college of engineering. She plans on focusing mainly on chemical engineering. 

Elaina said she was surprised when she found out she was the class valedictorian. 

“I know how hard I’ve worked throughout the years, but I know that there are a lot of really great, hardworking people in my grade, my friends included, so I was a little surprised.”

She said the honor was rewarding. 

Before she leaves for university, Elaina will be working and spending as much time with her family and friends as possible. 

Paige Brauer was named as Mount Sinai High School’s salutatorian. While maintaining a 101.6 GPA, she participated in extracurriculars like Best Buddies, Athletes Helping Athletes, Peer Leaders, FACs, and played on varsity volleyball and varsity track. 

While not in school, Paige volunteered at a therapeutic horseback riding facility, as well as at Mather Hospital where she shadowed several different doctors. 

In the fall, she will be attending Georgetown University, studying human science and pre-med in hopes of going into surgery.

Photo from MSSD

“My family has played a huge role for pushing me to do my best,” she said. “I also love staying busy, so between work, volunteer, school, sports, and clubs, I always had something to be doing when I wasn’t hanging out with my friends. Staying focused on my end goals really helped me continuously push myself over the last four years.”

Paige said she was caught by surprise to find out she was going to be salutatorian.

“I was so excited,” she said. “It was such an honor and I couldn’t be happier.”

She said she’s planning on spending as much time with her friends before they all go away to school.

Photos from Comsewogue School District

Comsewogue High School announced Sydney Carter as the class of 2021 valedictorian and Anthony Lin as class salutatorian.

Throughout her high school career, Sydney has challenged herself in Comsewogue High School’s most demanding college preparatory curriculum. As a result of her efforts, Sydney has maintained an overall grade point average of 104.12. 

Photo from Comsewogue School District

Equally as impressive, Sydney has been involved in a wide array of activities including but not limited to Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Indoor Track, Varsity Spring Track & Field, WISE, National Science Honor Society, National Math Honor Society, National Honor Society, Girls Leader’s Club, National Merit Finalist, and participation in SCMEA/selection for All-County this year for flute. 

Whether in the classroom or as a participant in one of these activities, Sydney’s moral character, motivational skills, eagerness to help others, teamwork abilities, and determination have been inspirational. 

Sydney will continue to make her mark as a chemistry major at the university level.

Anthony Lin has had an outstanding career at Comsewogue High School. He has equally balanced his stellar academic accomplishments with numerous activities in and outside of high school. 

Photo from Comsewogue School District

Of note, he is National Merit Commended Student, Renssalaer Medal Winner, AP Scholar with Distinction, President of the National Honor Society, Team Lead and Camp Counselor for Tzu Shao Volunteer Organization, president of the Science Club, has done research at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, Varsity Tennis Captain, Varsity Academic Quiz Bowl Captain, and National Science Bowl Team Captain.

Photo from PJSD

The Port Jefferson School District announced that Peggy Yin and Massimo Cipriano as the class of 2021 valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. 

Valedictorian Peggy Yin has had numerous academic accomplishments throughout her high school career. She was captain of the Science Olympiad team and has been a top medalist in both state and regional competitions. As a junior, she helped initiate a partnership to mentor elementary students in science fair projects. 

Photo from PJSD

Peggy served as the editor-in-chief of the Mast literary magazine, president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, president of the Latin Club, captain of the Academic Team, an officer of the National Honor Society and an officer and treasurer of the Drama Club. This year, she helped to spearhead a food drive that raised more than $3,000 and food donations for those in need. Peggy is a founder and editor-in-chief of the news media platform, The Current, and is collaborating with Legislator Kara Hahn (D-Setauket) on several initiatives. 

She has served as a summer intern at both Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory, where she worked on cutting-edge projects.

Peggy is a National Merit Scholarship finalist, Battelle Scholarship recipient and a Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalist. Music plays an important role in her life and her musical achievements are plenty with All-County, All-State and All-Eastern honors as a vocalist and flutist among them. She has performed twice onstage as a soloist at Carnegie Hall, has been on the Manhattan School of Music Dean’s List for three years and has been a recipient of five international vocal competitions.

She is active in community and volunteer initiatives, including serving as a youth ambassador for Concerts in Motion and a live radio show host and broadcast engineer for China Blue on WUSB 90.1 FM. 

Salutatorian Massimo Cipriano has excelled in many of his classes in Port Jefferson. 

He was a member of the Student Organization as a freshman and sophomore and served as secretary for the class of 2021. He served as a student representative for the district’s PTSA and three years as president of the Varsity Club. This year, he was co-president.

Photo from PJSD

Massimo has also been a Royal, a three- sport athlete in his high school career, as a member of the soccer, basketball, and baseball teams. He was also part of the founding team members of The Current, the independent online newspaper, where he is the head of the sports column. 

He participates in numerous volunteer and community service actions and recently helped spearhead a pen pal program with veterans at the Long Island State Veterans Home in Stony Brook. 

Citing English as a favorite subject, Massimo would like to study journalism when he begins college in the fall.

Massimo used his four years in high school to tap into many of the school’s offerings, helping him to become a well-rounded scholar. He commends several high school teachers with encouraging him to continue to embrace the world with kindness, empathy and a positive mindset, and values the mentors and role models they are to him. He is also pleased to have been a student in the district since childhood, citing his gratefulness to a school community that has encouraged lifelong relationships and inspired him to keep his best foot forward.

Both students were honored at a virtual celebration hosted by New York State Sen. Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), recognizing the accomplishments of Long Island’s most accomplished students. 

“It was a great pleasure speaking with these remarkable students and hearing about their future plans, accomplishments and favorite memories from high school,” Palumbo said. “We wish them all the best in their future endeavors and congratulate them and their parents on their significant accomplishments.”

Photo from MPSD

Graduating with the class of 2021 of Miller Place High School, Kyla Bruno will be leaving as valedictorian, finishing at the top of her class with a weighted GPA of 102.34. Kyla plans to attend college at Northwestern University and will be majoring in mathematics, with a minor or double major in music. 

Photo from MPSD

Throughout her high school career, Kyla has accomplished a tremendous amount academically. She was awarded AP Scholar with Honors, Performing Arts Teeny Award for Outstanding Instrumentalist, and was recognized by the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program.

Consistently achieving honor roll while enrolled in all AP and honors courses, Kyla has also received Special Recognition of Excellence in language arts, geometry, Spanish, and orchestra. She was additionally named an All-State Musician. 

Not only is Kyla academically gifted, but is a very active athlete as well, earning the Scholar-Athlete Award for tennis and track. She is a member of both the spring and winter track teams and was recognized as All-League and All-County on her tennis team.

Leaving with a 101.30, the second-highest GPA in the Class of 2021, Jason Cirrito was named salutatorian at Miller Place high school.

Jason was notably awarded for his academic excellence, but also had a big involvement in his community. He achieved High Honor Roll for every marking period since 9th grade and received awards for Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors and the Geometry Honors Award.

He was also given the Outstanding Acts of Kindness Award for helping his classmates and community members without expecting anything in return. 

Spending his time at the Port Jefferson Library, Jason helped coordinate events and also served as the assistant coach for the Miller Place Parent Teacher Organization basketball team. 

To add to his stellar academic and community service achievements, Jason was known as an involved student-athlete. He was a member of the cross-country team, soccer team, and the winter and spring track teams. 

This fall, Jason will be attending Vassar College and plans to major in math education and become a secondary math teacher.

METRO photo

By Daniel Dunaief

Daniel Dunaief

No one asked me to give a graduation speech. I haven’t done anything to merit standing in front of a group of people who have poured their blood, sweat and tears into their education and who are eager for a memorable, but short send-off. If they’re like me, some of them are probably trying not to sweat on or wrinkle their diploma while they wonder who came up with the idea of turning a piece of cardboard into a hat.

Anyway, I can’t help imagining what I might say to graduates who have ended one phase of their lives and are preparing for another.

I’d start by urging people not to get angry. Adults have mastered the fine art of being angry, yelling at each other, expressing outrage at the way other’s drive, think, live and date. We can and should learn to be as patient with others as we would like them to be with us. You know those student driver bumper stickers? Maybe we should treat each other as if we’re students of life. Let’s assume, for just a moment, that the worst of what you think someone else might have said to offend you or to cause you to gnash your teeth and pull at your hair isn’t actually what they intended.

After all, during the course of your education, you likely wrote or said something in class that your teacher might have misinterpreted or that a fellow student might have taken the wrong way. Perhaps an effective metaphor here might be to imagine that you are laying out the road ahead of you. Wouldn’t it be better to create streets with turnoffs and that allowed traffic in two ways, instead of building an express lane to the world of outrage, anger and disappointment?

I would also urge you, the current graduates and the keys to an effective future, to listen to ideas and opinions that don’t mirror your own. It’s easy to live in an echo chamber, where people say what you want to hear or what you already think, but you don’t learn and grow much listening to the same ideas and expressions endlessly.

Think about your audience when you share an insight, an idea or even a joke. Your boss is probably not the best person for bawdy humor or a racy compliment, no matter how cool he or she seems. While some story might be incredibly funny to people who were there with you at the time, were inebriated, or have concluded that you couldn’t possibly offend them no matter what you said, the same preconditions don’t exist for your boss or a potential customer. Humor is like flavors of food. What constitutes funny varies greatly, with some people nearly falling over in hysterics watching someone stumble on a sidewalk and others failing to see the amusement from physical humor.

Now, this one might be the toughest to hear, but, just because your parent said it or did it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. As graduates, you have likely decided to turn your parents’ words into the sounds of teachers from the Charlie Brown animated series. While that may help you create enough distance to leave the nest, you should remember that those flawed humans who have loved and supported you from your first steps until this one are on your side and are trying to help.

Finally, I’d like to suggest that what you do is almost always much more important than what you say. It’s easy to throw words and labels in the air — “I’m an environmentalist” or “I love animals” — but it’s much more important for you to turn those words and ideas into actions. Your best intentions are great, but your best actions are that much more valuable.