Brenner, Frey named honorary Roslyn graduates

Bill San Antonio

Before any of Roslyn High School’s 265 graduates tossed their caps into the air during commencement services Friday, two guests were given honorary diplomas as members of the Class of 2015.

School Superintendent Dan Brenner and theater director Brad Frey were handed the tokens from senior class president Sahil Anand during what was to be their final public event with the Roslyn School District.

“In 1979, my wife, who is in attendance, was also a Roslyn graduate,” said Brenner, who is stepping down from Roslyn to accept the same position with the Darien, Conn. school district. “Today, we have two Roslyn High School graduates.

Brenner’s remarks came during Roslyn High School’s 109th commencement at the Tilles Center at LIU Post, during which he reflected on the idea of one’s legacy.

During hiring interviews for teaching positions, Brenner said he’d often ask the candidates to describe their ideal legacy after a long career with Roslyn.

On Friday, he extended the same question to the graduates.

“What will your legacy be when you leave Roslyn?” he said. “I’d also extend that question to your college and workforce experience and ask what will people remember you for when you leave your next steps?”

Brenner did not describe his own legacy, though he alluded to the “shrine” of his son’s former bedroom in his Westchester home as a reflection of his childhood as well as his late friend’s ability to negotiate a deal. 

But he concluded that legacy comes not just from one’s laundry list of accomplishments and accolades, but rather the impact one leaves on others when he moves on in life. 

“When you embrace the idea that your legacy is built on your character and the relationships you have built, you will be able to say goodbye with your head held high,” he said. 

Frey, who did not speak during the ceremony, left his students and their families with a physical reminder of his tenure.

As the senior chorus sang “At The Beginning” in what was marked as Frey’s last performance as conductor, the director stepped away from his piano and in front of a microphone to sing along with his soon-to-be former students. 

With that off-script stunt, the Class of 2015 —  students, teachers and administrators all — had its last hurrah with Roslyn. 

Moments later, valedictorian Rachel Mintz implored her classmates live in the moment, as Frey did, in an age where every moment is documented and published to social media accounts for all the world to see. 

She said in the last few weeks, she has strived to do one social media-free activity with people she cares about, like going to Adventureland in Farmingdale and watching movies into the wee hours of the morning before getting ready for school.

“We must step back, unplug and live in the here and now,” she said.

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