Ward Melville 2018 graduates ready for next chapter
By Andrea Paldy
Family and friends cheered on the more than 600 seniors who graduated in front of the Ward Melville High School clocktower on Sunday.
During the June 24 ceremony, salutatorian Michael Lu reminded his classmates to continue to open themselves to new possibilities.
“As graduates of Ward Melville High School, we can do anything we put our minds to as long as we have an appetite to learn and a willingness to take risks,” he said.
Ethan Li, the class valedictorian, encouraged his classmates to be socially aware and to enact change.
“Talent without humanity is like a violin bow which lacks resin,” he said. “It may produce practically perfect music, but the sound will never inspire.”
Ward Melville principal Alan Baum built on those words in his last commencement speech as principal.
“Change is okay,” he said. “You don’t have to be afraid.”
Baum, who will take on the role of executive director of secondary curriculum and human resources in the district office, had parting words for the class of 2018.
“Don’t let others or naysayers tell you what you can’t do,” he said. “Go out and show them what you can do.”
