Congratulations, Seaford H.S. class of 2019

To the classic strains of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance No. 5” march, the Seaford High School class of 2019 marched two by two into the Nassau Community College auditorium to begin the school’s commencement last Friday. Led by district Superintendent Dr. Adele Pecora and Board of Education President Bruce Kahn, it was the school’s 68th graduating class.

Parents, family members and honored guests were welcomed by Student Council President Christopher Schneider, followed by the Chamber Choir singing the national anthem and the school’s alma mater.

Principal Scott Bersin, wearing the gown and hood of a doctor of jurisprudence, was the evening’s master of ceremonies. Honored guests included County Executive Laura Curran, who advised the graduates to always “do the hard thing or the boring thing first, get it out of he way”; State Sen. John Brooks, Seaford class of 1968; Hempstead Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney, class of 1991; and County Legislator Steve Rhoads.

“Slow down, enjoy the journey,” Rhoads advised. He also suggested that the graduates “think forward and ask questions” as they move into the next phase of their lives. “Decisions are made by those who show up,” he said.

Salutatorian Eric Schneider, twin brother of council President Christopher, spoke to his class’s chosen theme of “big goals, brighter futures.” Schneider is set to attend Fordham University in the fall, where he will major in international relations, his mother, Donna, said.

Seven special scholarship awards were presented, including the Hook & Ladder Company #1 Memorial Scholarship, to Carl Bloom, Eric Schneider and Julianna Tyznar; the United Teachers of Seaford scholarship, to Catherine Crawford and Corey Marks; and the Antony Varuolo Student Council Award, to Britney Sirota.

In the final presentation before the awarding of diplomas, senior class President Eric Schneider, Vice President Samantha Findeisen, Secretary Adrianna Del Pozzo and Treasurer Daniella Velentino announced a gift of $250 to the incoming freshman class, to be used as seed money for their service projects, as well as two birdbaths to be placed on school property.

Finally, Vice Principals Jennifer Bisulca and Nicole Schnabel presented the class of 2019 to Pecora, resplendent in her Columbia University doctoral robes, and Kahn, who handed out diplomas to the 170 seniors. As they received their diplomas, Bisulca and Schnabel announced each graduate’s plans for the coming year.

Then, the traditional raucous tossing of mortarboards into the air segued into a rousing recessional played by the band, under the direction of Anthony Romeo and Christopher Coniglio.