For the Harborfields High School Class of 2023, the overcast skies on the morning of June 24 were not reflected in the brightness of the seniors’ spirits as they celebrated the school’s 64th commencement ceremony.
Superintendent Rory Manning was introduced by student Nahrahel Louis. After prompting a round of applause for the seniors, Manning asked them to put down their phones, be present in the moment and look at their families in the stands, before leading them in a relaxing mindfulness exercise and discussing the value of shared experiences.
“You, the amazing Class of 2023, continue to earn recognition for your academic prowess, your athletic feats, your musical talents and for doing the little things each day to be at your best,” Manning said. “We have all been through a lot, some more than others, but we all have shared experiences that make us a family. Enjoy this moment and be present.”
Salutatorian Alexa Best asked her classmates to recall an ordinary day attending school at Harborfields.
“On such a momentous occasion, it is easy to get caught up in this one large achievement and forget what brought us here,” Best said. “I want you to forget graduating for a moment, and instead pretend that you are all here celebrating that ordinary day you imagined. Imagine that one ordinary day is just as important as graduating from high school. My point is, we should give ourselves permission to appreciate the small moments in life. There is beauty in those ordinary days and memories. These are the moments that make graduating worth something. You’re not here celebrating the fact that you completed all your credits required by the New York State Education Department. You’re here celebrating the fact that you have woke up every day for the past four years to come to this school and see these people.”
Valedictorian Lindsay Sung pondered being ready for this major transition and lauded the power of connection.
“After today, I realize that we’re getting never back together, we’ll all be off in our adult lives doing our own adult things,” Sung said. “I think back to freshman year when I felt that high school was the scariest thing ever. But we survived, and high school doesn’t seem so scary anymore. While the transitions are scary in the moment, if we take it one day at a time, we’ll soon look back and suddenly it won’t be so frightening. In fact, it will seem as though time has slipped through our fingers before we even realize it, just like high school has. Even though we are on our own now, we are not alone. It is important to remember that we are moving forward together. We will forever and always be connected.”
Class President Alexandra Ebanks used her background in music as a keynote.
“Our commencement day is not just a milestone, but a musical piece of sorts, one that marks the end of a movement,” Ebanks said. “As our symphony’s movement draws to a close, we are reminded of the unity in our ensemble. This isn’t an end, but a transition to a new movement in our own song. May we continue to make music that rings true to our shared past, while creating harmonies for our future. Let us carry with us the lessons we have learned, humming the tunes of unity, resilience and love. From the first note to the last, we are one Harborfields Class of 2023.”
The day’s featured speaker, as chosen by the students, was history teacher Daniel Greening. Introduced by Student Government Vice President Elizabeth Kelly, Greening used the book “The Pioneers” as a springboard for advice.
“Life will be tough, but if you work hard and rely on people around you like the people you have in this community, you will be able to accomplish anything in this shining city upon a hill,” Greening said. “You are a special group of young people who have persevered over the past four extremely arduous years and have found yourself sitting here in front of friends, family and loved ones. Now it is your time to pioneer your own
journey. This great country has a history of providing opportunities for those who work hard, are resilient and take on any challenge in order to improve life for themselves and those around them. You are capable and strong young men and women who need to lead us into the next generation.”
Finally, Principal Marie Netto addressed her charges, using the Centennial Light, the world’s longest burning light bulb, as a metaphor.
“Even the smallest light can shine bright and make a difference, and that is exactly what I hope you all realize is within each of you,” Netto said. “In fact, your radiance is evident in this very moment as you sit in the campus of Harborfields High School as unique individuals alongside your classmates, supported by family, friends and faculty who share in celebrating your commencement. Just like a prism breaks light into a spectrum of colors, each of you has your own unique talents and abilities that can bring color and beauty to the world. My hope for you is that you will always embrace your individuality and let your light shine, for it is in being true to yourself that you will make the greatest impact.”
As a reminder, each graduate received a gift prism with their diplomas, before joyfully hurling their caps to the sky and walking out as new alumni.
