Photos: New Hyde Park Memorial High School 2023 graduates celebrate

The New Hyde Park Memorial High School community celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2023 at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University on June 25.

Principal Richard Faccio opened the ceremony with some inspiring words for the graduating seniors as they embark on this next chapter.

“The world is eagerly waiting for your talents, your innovative ideas and your unwavering determination,” Faccio said to the students.

Salutatorian Taseen Tanzil thanked his family for the “immeasurable sacrifices” they made to get him to the graduation stage. He also expressed his gratitude for his teachers he had a pleasure of learning from.

Valedictorian Priya Persaud took her fellow graduates down memory lane — from 7th grade dances to 8th grade field day, as well as the challenges they faced going to school amid a global pandemic.

However, one commonality the Class of 2023 shared was finding their happiness in the times of pressure or fear of the unknown, Persaud said. This was through the multiple senior events they planned their last year of high school.

She urged her classmates to integrate happiness into their daily lives, to live in the present moment and take action towards meaningful change.

“Never ever give up, if you fall down, don’t wallow in your self-pity — get up a do something about it,” Persaud said. “Push forward, you are the maker of your own dreams, don’t let that fact be forgotten.”