The Wheatley School graduated 146 students at its 56th commencement ceremony last Sunday morning at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale.
In keeping with the school’s tradition at graduation ceremonies, musicians in the graduating class performed instrumental and vocal selections during the ceremony.
“The gift of life is an amazing journey, and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. Everyone has the power to tap into their own greatness to find joy and fulfillment,” Mark Kamberg, president of the East Williston Board of Education, told the graduates. “The way to be happy is to like yourself and the way to like yourself is to do only things that make you proud.”
He told the graduates a story he said they’d need as a point of reference some day about the Great Blondin, the man who invented the high wire act and crossed Niagara Falls in 1859.
As Blondin was about to cross the falls pushing a wheelbarrow, he asked one of the bystanders if the man thought he could do it. When the man said he was absolutely certain of it, Blondin reportedly told him to get into the wheelbarrow.
“Now, you’ve just received a first-class education, from one of the top high schools in the country. Like that man in the crowd, you know a lot of things. But also like that man, there will be times in your life when knowing things won’t matter as much as how scary the situation is – and when that happens you’ll have to decide whether or not to get into the wheelbarrow,” Kamberg said. “Life is about choices you make. Choose wisely.”
He called for the graduates to identify their own values, such as family, friendship, health, wealth, learning, community, faith, integrity, creativity, adventure, and love and to set themselves a mission.
“Dedicate your life to a cause greater than yourself and your life will become a glorious romance and adventure. A goal is a dream set to paper. Don’t just think it, write it down. Don’t be afraid to aim high,” Kamberg said.
East Williston Superintendent of Schools Elaine Kanas, in her first year as district superintendent, thanked the Wheatley class of 2013 for making shortening her learning curve.
“In addition to the academics and sports and arts, I’ve learned from you that the district places a strong emphasis on character development as well as cognitive growth,” Kanas said.
She said she had observed their sense of volunteerism in charity drives, their mentoring of younger students, their leadership in Day of Service activities, and “the spirit of respect and friendship” that she said characterized their interactions with peers and staff.
Kanas also told them, “I am happy to know that the school district fosters a nurturing environment where self-confidence can grow, it must be so, because your level of poise and presence in so many of the activities and presentations I’ve witnessed is solid and sustained.”
She ended by reading the North Side School character pledge, something she said she knew they were familiar with and something she hoped would sustain them in the future:
I pledge to be a person of character, deserving of all trust!
I will always act with fairness, doing the right thing is a must!
I will be a good citizen and always show I care!
I will stand proud and tall and with kindness do my share!
Reach reporter Richard Tedesco by e-mail at rtedesco@theislandnow.com or by phone at 516.307.1045 x204. Also follow us on Twitter @theislandnow1 and Facebook at facebook.com/theislandnow.
