Valley Stream 30 graduates mark the start of a new chapter

The Valley Stream District 30 Class of 2023, comprised of students across Clear Stream Avenue, Forest Road and Shaw Avenue schools, celebrated the momentous achievement of graduation from last week.

It was a cause for joy and pride as sixth graders were ready to cross the stage at Shaw Avenue School to mark the conclusion of their elementary school careers and their next steps towards becoming middle schoolers. Graduates dazzled the audience with various musical performances, including “Lovely Day” by Shaw students, “Watch as We Walk on Our Way” by Clear Stream students and “Count on Me” by Forest Road students. Forest Road also turned up the volume with a percussion-themed performance of “Wavin’ Flag.”

Shaw Avenue graduate Aiden Cirillo greeted guests before assistant principals Ashley Lemmo and Nyree Whittaker-Roth addressed graduates and expressed their overwhelming pride in the Class of 2023. “Your thoughts, your words and your actions matter,” Whittaker-Roth said. “You can make the difference that you want to see in the world.” Graduate Samuel Akaeze then gave the farewell address to his peers.

During Clear Stream’s ceremony, principal John Singleton reminded students of the challenges they overcame together. “You are, in your own right, superheroes,” Singleton said. “You survived the pandemic. You pushed through difficult times. You’ve healed broken relationships. You studied to reach academic proficiency. Look in the mirror and recognize how strong you are.”

Clear Stream graduates Caylee Martinez and Zachary Moore both addressed their peers. “I would like to encourage the Class of 2023 to take risks as they graduate to middle school,” Caylee said. “I’m so proud of all my classmates.”

“All of our experiences throughout our years at Clear Stream have given us the confidence to face any challenges that may come our way,” Zachary added.

Forest Road principal Erin Malone said to her graduating class, “You are prepared for the next challenge. For every academic lesson you were taught, there were other lessons built into each interaction you had in our school.”

Graduate Nicole Johnson bid farewell to the Class of 2023 by saying, “I know the spotlight on our future is shining brightly – it’s within your grasp; grab it!”

Superintendent Roxanne Garcia-France spoke to each graduating class and encouraged them to continue to strive towards further heights. “I can envision a more peaceful world bathed in the sunshine of diversity,” Garcia-France said. “But let us not forget that achieving our fullest potential and becoming Global Leaders of Tomorrow will not come as easily. To reach this level of excellence, you must find those people who will lift you up, hold you down and keep you close, safe, and sound.”

Board of education trustees also issued congratulatory comments before issuing graduates their diplomas. As the Class of 2023 recessed out of the auditorium, they marked the next steps on their  academic journeys and their roads of personal maturity.