Elmont grads look to their future

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Elmont Memorial High School's class of 2017 entered the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University for the school's 60th annual commencement on June 25 filled with emotion as they readied to embark on a new chapter.

During the ceremony, the students heard remarks from class President Joel Lima and Salutatorian Aubin Carlson Lohier, who spoke about how lucky they were to attend a school where the faculty cared so deeply for them. 

"To the faculty at Elmont, this is not just a job," Lohier said.  "This is a chance for them to mold young lives and it is a responsibility they do not take lightly." 

Valedictorian Shazor Shahid spoke about realizing their role as citizens in the world community.

"The world we were given by our parents is not perfect," Shahid said, "but we must strive, in a practical way, to make it as perfect as it can be and the most efficient, for everything is finite and we must make it last for generations to come. I know the potential possessed by the class of 2017 to carry out their dreams. Some of us may be behind or ahead of others, but we all are graduating from Elmont Memorial - a place that provided an academic common ground for students of diverse backgrounds. Here we laid our foundation, from the teachings of our parents and teachers, and from here we depart on our individual journeys, hoping to use what we have learned with an attitude that we are able to do anything we wish, with nothing, but ourselves to hold us back."

Sewanhaka Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ralph Ferrie encouraged students to take chances in the future and commended them on the exceptional manner in which they represented the Elmont community, while Principal Kevin Dougherty reminded students to be kind.

"It has been scientifically proven that when you open your heart and choose to spread kindness in the world, others are more likely to act in a similar fashion," Dougherty said. "Open up your hearts, allow yourselves to be vulnerable, and treat others the way you would hope they would treat you. As a result, the world will be a more enjoyable place in which to live."   

Dougherty also presented the Yolens Affriany Memorial Tribute plaque on behalf of the class of 2017. It will be presented to the Affriany family in memory