Graduation 2018

Calhoun seniors urged to find joy and help others

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On June 24, seniors at Sanford H. Calhoun High School were sent off to the next chapter in their lives, at the school’s 59th commencement, held at the NYCB Theatre in Westbury.

A slate of speakers declared the graduating students “heroes,” and urged them to continue the pattern of kindness and empathy that they, as a class, have demonstrated in the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

“You have been heroes,” Principal Nicole Hollings told graduates. “You are a hero because you stopped your day to be a friend who needed help or to someone who is just different than you — because you stood up to be a champion for the rights of others. [You’re a hero] because you defend the rights of all. You chose kindness even when someone has been cruel to you.”

Board of Education trustee and fellow Calhoun alumna Wendy Gargiulo shared the advice she would give her younger self.

“Live your own life,” Gargiulo said. “Your time is limited — don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Have the courage to follow your heart and own intuition. Discovery takes time and that is time well spent.”

Senior Class advisor Erika Feldman stressed the importance of goal-setting.

“We all have different goals, but don’t second guess your own goals and your ability to succeed as you achieve those goals,” she advised.

Meanwhile, Salutatorian Amelia Seabold told students that it was important to have control over your own emotions and reactions — while being aware of others’ feelings.

“We have spent our whole lives being impacted by other people,” Seabold said. “We have experienced benevolence and animosity. And all of these people we have come in contact with have helped shaped who we are today. Any person can alter someone’s life. We must intentionally seek to have an impact on people and be in control of what the outcome is.”

Valedictorian Joy Ma told fellow classmates to remember their roots as they set off on new adventures, but to also find the “joy” in their lives.

“We have always been influencing each other for better or worse,” she said. “These people, this school, this town. This is our childhood. This is Bellmore-Merrick. We are Bellmore-Merrick. And no matter how far the journey in life pulls us, nothing will be able to take that away from us.”