Emotions run high at East Rockaway High School graduation

Posted


Clapping and cheering could be heard from the bleachers filled with parents of graduates as the class of 2020 took their seats for the in-person graduation ceremony on Friday, June 26 at East Rockaway High School.

At around four p.m., the 2020 class presidents made their speeches to congratulate, motivate and thank their fellow peers and teachers for the four years of High school.

“Our journey does not end here… take on the world … write new memories and thank you to all for making it an unforgettable ride,” said class president, Daniel Gonzalez.

“You taught us to embrace our strengths … to the teachers … thank you for preparing us and we learned the importance of our actions,” said class president, Victoria Trowbridge.

As the ceremony came to a close, names of each graduate were called, and each of them stood up when they heard their names, walked to the stage, received their diploma and took a picture.

For many of the parents of the graduates, they said watching their children graduate was an emotional roller coaster.

“It was an emotional day and I was excited and proud of my daughter,” said Catherine Morsucci, the mother of Chelsey Perez, who will be attending Nassau Community College to study sociology. “I wish my daughter a very bright future and continued success and all the best.”

“The day turned out beautiful and I was very proud and so happy that all the students got to graduate that day in-person,” said Theresa Romano, the mother of East Rockaway High School graduate Anthony Romano. “It was so emotional seeing my son in his cap and gown

Anthony will study business and its relation to the music industry at Saint John’s University--the school that both his uncle and his father attended.

“Anthony has hoped to attend Saint John’s since he was 10 years old. My hope for Anthony is that all his future goals will be accomplished and that he will have a wonderful college experience,” said Theresa. “I hope all his dreams come true.”

Many other parents of graduates also said they found themselves thinking about their children’s future plans at graduation.

“I hope that my daughter decides to stay on the right path,” said Stacy Alfieri, the mother of Isabella Alfieri, who will be attending Nassau Community College in the fall and later attending Binghamton University in January. “I hope that my daughter continues to have a happy life.”

“I hope that my son has amazing college experiences,” said Kelly Senzon, the mother of Spencer Senzon, who will be attending Marymount Manhattan College to study playwriting for the stage. “I just hope that the pandemic ends and everything goes back to normal before he is told he is going back to school.”