The New Hyde Park Memorial Class of 2013 had a surprise visitor to its commencement Sunday – Sen. Charles Schumer.
Schumer gave a short address about student tax credits he helped create, the constantly evolving world of technology, and finding a job that you love.
“It’s worth it struggling to find one,” Schumer said.
Schumer said he has two tests in life more important than any other. He calls them the Monday morning and Friday afternoon tests. Do you get up on Monday excited to go to work and do you leave on Friday excited to your family?
“If you can say yes to both of those tests, God has been good to you,” Schumer said. “Don’t complain.”
Before Schumer spoke, student council president Jonathan Chambers urged his fellow students to dream big.
“Don’t be afraid of change in life, don’t be afraid to shake up the status quo,” he said.
Chambers told his fellow classmates at the Mack Sports Complex at Hofstra that he saw in them, “the potential for our very own Bill Gates, Michael Phelps, or Steve Jobs…”
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do,” Chambers added, quoting from the “Think Different” Apple ad campaign.
Valedictorian Linda Ying Zhang gave a similarly impassioned speech but hers was not about charging into the future. Instead she spoke about being mindful of the present and not getting caught up following a plan.
“There is nothing wrong with being uncertain of the path you want to take in life,” said Zhang, addressing her 328 fellow graduates.
Zhang explained that for the last six years, her and her classmates have had a plan going into every year, knowing what classes they would take, when they would take them and who they would be with. She said that without that structure it is easy to feel lost or unsure, and the concept of moving on without any direction might seem frightening but, “perhaps the best thing in life is to figure it out along the way.”
By the end of her speech however, she came to a similar conclusion to Chambers when she said, “Don’t be afraid to change your mind.”
In between the two student speeches, Superintendent of Schools Ralph Ferrie praised the graduates for the way they represented their school and community, told them to cherish their education and degree.
“Think of it as your ticket to change the world,” he said.
The Select Choir and Senior High School Band performed songs throughout the afternoon such as, “Fields of Gold,” “The Golden Age of Broadway,” and “The Lord Bless and Keep You,” all leading up to the presentation of the class. Before the students walked across the dais, New Hyde Park Memorial principal Richard Faccio announced that 96 percent of the class will be attending college next year and received over $32 million in scholarship offers.
Before the graduates turned their tassels and strolled into the summer afternoon to greet friends and family, salutatorian Clara Wilson delivered the farewell address.
While other speakers looked to the future or the importance of being present, Wilson spoke about the past. She told the graduates to think of their parents who have been their since their first steps and drove them to kindergarten.
“Don’t forget to still be young and enjoy your youth,” she said.
