Class of 2016

A day of Seaford pride

Posted
Seaford High School’s 178 graduates celebrated at the end of their ceremony at Nassau Community College on Sunday afternoon.
Seaford High School’s 178 graduates celebrated at the end of their ceremony at Nassau Community College on Sunday afternoon.
Andrew Hackmack/Herald

“Seaford Pride” was evident on Sunday afternoon, as 178 students, clad in their green and white caps and gowns, became the 59th class to graduate from Seaford High School.

The man who coined the phrase three decades ago was the keynote speaker. Raymond Buckley, who worked in the district for 31 years, including as high school principal from 1986 to 1997, said “Seaford Pride” was developed at a time when discipline was lax and morale was low. Soon, however, the culture, tone and feeling of the building changed, he explained, creating the climate that exists today.

Buckley led the graduates in a cheer at the end of his speech, “We’re from Seaford. No one could be prouder. If you can’t hear us, we’ll yell a little louder!”

Before the noon ceremony began, students lined the hallways in the underbelly of the Nassau Community College physical education complex, taking selfies and sharing stories. Erin Russell and Molly Van Dusen shared their own “Seaford Pride” moments. For Russell, the proudest high school moment was being a part of the county-championship volleyball team as a senior. Van Dusen said the senior pep rally stood out for her, because of the excitement and school spirit that surrounded the event.

Russell, who came to Seaford High School after attending St. William the Abbot School, said she immediately felt like a part of the class, even if she was then the new girl. “It was very welcoming,” she said. “I made a lot of friends and I’m happy that I came here.”

She will study nursing at Hartwick College, while Van Dusen will do the same at Molloy College. As the graduates were called up to receive their diploma, assistant principals Anthony Allison and Jessica Sventoraitis announced their post-high school plans, as well as the activities they have been involved with during the past four years.

Principal Scott Bersin has known the class since they were in sixth grade, when he was an assistant principal at the middle school, and said it would be tough to imagine Seaford High School next year without them. “That’s a big loss for me,” he said, “but that’s a gain for the world. I will miss you all very, very much.”

County Legislator Steve Rhoads told the graduates to stand up, face the audience and salute their parents for their love and support. Congressman Peter King spoke of how proud he was that his children are Seaford graduates, then yielded to lectern to one of those, his daughter, Town of Hempstead Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney of the class of 1991.

“Seaford is a special place,” she said. “It’s a place you can always come home to.”

Salutatorian Nick Liuzzi delivered words of inspiration that were inspired by the health obstacles that he has overcome the past few years. He told his fellow graduates that there is always something positive that can be taken from a negative experience. An optimistic attitude can be infectious, he added.

“Whatever situation life throws at you, do yourself a favor and don’t let it prevent you from achieving your goals,” Liuzzi said, “because the moment you even think that life’s situations can stop you is the moment you are letting life get the best of you, and a moment you will regret.”

Valedictorian Nicholas Faranda, known for his sense of humor, referred to himself as the “valeNICKtorian” and cited the bragging rights he gets for being the top-ranked grad in the class of 2016: looking good to college, being in the newspaper and making new friends. He told his classmates how he was nervous about going to college, and felt like chaining himself to high school. He spoke of the many unexpected moments like being nominated for Homecoming and prom king, and, of course, being ranked No. 1 in the class of 2016.

“I am not telling you all to not be afraid of the unexpected,” he said, “I am just reminding you all that so many things in life will be surprises, and sometimes those surprises will be the best moments of your life.”