A momentous day for Clarke grads

Posted

The W.T. Clarke class of 2015 gathered one final time on Sunday to collectively close the book on their high school careers. A commencement ceremony, full of emotional family members and friends, and hundreds of excited graduates, was the scene on the school’s football field.

Outgoing Superintendent Louis DeAngelo impressed the importance of respect and giving to the graduating class. “If there could be only one thing in this life for me to teach you, I would teach you to love; to respect others,” he said, “so that you may find respect in yourself; to learn the value of giving so that if there’s ever a time in your life that ever someone really needs you, you will give.”

Valedictorian Pavithran Ravindran compared the high school journey to a metaphorical train ride. Looking to the future, Ravindran said, “You have no idea where this train is going. The unknown may seem scary, and although we are all taking different journeys, Clarke has trained us to be leaders by giving us the opportunity to be members of clubs, athletic teams and so much more.”

The class Salutatorian, Rohit Bachani, said, “Class of 2015, I glance at you and I see a troupe of dreamers, a group with the zeal to make all of their dreams come true … hold on to your sense of courage and willpower.”

Finally, the diplomas were distributed, and the ceremony came to an end. Mortarboards lined the air, and graduates reunited with their loved ones as official alumni of the East Meadow School District.