EI pride celebrated at Class of 2024 graduation

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On June 25, the Class of 2024 walked onto Sal Ciampi Field at Boomer Esiason Stadium as high school students and departed ready to start the next chapter of their lives.

The ceremony was kicked off with the Pledge of Allegiance, recited by Lorelai Mucciolo and Hanna Ross; a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Ross; and a beautiful performance of “America the Beautiful,” sung by Anthony Ashley, Julia Fink, Ryan Kelpie, Brendan Kroupa and Mucciolo. The school’s advanced American Sign Language class interpreted for all.

Principal Mark Bernard—who served as principal of the middle school while the Class of 2024 was in sixth grade before becoming principal of the high school—addressed the graduates during the welcome address.

“You will face challenges, setbacks, and obstacles. You will have great successes and epic disappointments,” admitted Bernard. “But as you have consistently proven, you will succeed through perseverance, hard work, and dedication—qualities you all possess and have learned over the past several years.”

During the salutatorian address, Kevin Huang reflected on the trials and tribulations that made the seniors resilient, taught them the importance of community, and enabled them to follow their hearts.

“High school was never really about getting the diploma. The true purpose of high school was high school itself,” Huang wisely shared. “It was the experiences we had on this four-year journey that carry true value.”

Upholding a longstanding tradition, members of the graduating class from 50 years ago were in attendance to celebrate the current seniors, and for the seniors to honor those who came before them. The Class of 1974 accepted their 50-year certificates, living proof of the promise of a great life with many accomplishments and experiences after high school.

Valedictorian Kathryn O’Hara gave a speech about the fear of failure, citing the famous failures that Stephen King and Oprah Winfrey had to overcome at the beginning of their careers, as well as the hurdles she has overcome herself. She encouraged her fellow graduates to embrace failure as a tool for growth, as learning from mistakes allows one to grow into the best versions of themselves.

Speeches from superintendent Paul Manzo and board of education president Michael Dorgan both served to congratulate the graduates, while reminding them that they have the tools to succeed in the next chapters of their lives, and will always have East Islip to call home.

Finally, the moment everyone was waiting for came, and the students received their diplomas one by one.

Class of 2024 co-presidents Mary Ranzie and Skylar Reilly, who served as co-presidents of the student council since their freshman year, gave a joint farewell address.

“If I have one piece of advice to give to my classmates, it would be to live in the now,” said Ranzie. “I spent so much time excited for what’s next, that I would forget to live in the present. Although I can’t wait to see what everyone does in the future, I am excited to spend these next few days with one another.”

Reilly praised the late alumnus Sgt. Craig B. Gariepy, class president of the Class of 1969 and her grandfather’s best friend, who was killed in action in the Vietnam War. Gariepy is the namesake of Craig B. Gariepy Avenue, a road intersecting with Redmen Street next to the high school.

“I want everyone here to promise to find wonder in all new things, but also never forget where they came from,” said Reilly. “The streets and the town that built us make a mark and leave a legacy. We grow up feeling E.I. pride, but it’s now our turn to create it.”