SCHOOLS

Hundreds celebrate at Clarke High School graduation

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W.T. Clarke High School seniors reflected on the past four years while thinking about their futures at the 2016 commencement ceremony, held on June 26.

Hundreds of community members packed the bleachers behind the Salisbury school to watch 163 students graduate at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. The class of 2016 has plenty to be proud of, according to East Meadow School District leaders, who added that they anticipate that the seniors will build on their high school successes.

Valedictorian Justin Melkun and Ryan Seerattan, the salutatorian, delivered speeches. Melkun described his address as honest, and Seerattan said he focused on the fact that “people will forget what you say and what you do, but they won’t forget how you made them feel.”

“Everyone knows everyone here at Clarke,” Seerattan said before the ceremony. “It’s nice to be a part of a small community with administrators, teachers and classmates who support and care for you.”

After hearing from Class President Jessica Chavez, Superintendent Leon Campo, Board of Education Trustee Jeffrey Rosenking and more, the students received their diplomas. Toting signs, balloons and flowers, family and friends cheered as each graduate’s name was read.