Elmont Memorial High School Class of 2024 graduates

Graduating seniors in the Elmont Memorial High School Class of 2024 grabbed their diplomas and stepped a foot into the future on June 30 at Hofstra University.

The graduating classmates congratulated each other on the milestone accomplishment last weekend, as administrative leadership from the Sewanhaka school district, Elmont Memorial leadership, school staff, friends and family cheered them on.

Class valedictorian Yusef Lateef and class salutatorian Danielle Sattaur spoke to their classmates about the exciting changes they all face as they march towards their futures.

“Becoming who you are is a process, one that requires the same amount of love, care and effort that you give to another person,” Sattaur said.

Lateef emphasized the importance of building community during his speech.

“Build a community when you need it, and support it when it needs you,” Lateef said.

Senior class president Ivie Ihas gave her peers words of encouragement as she spoke at the ceremony.

“There are many times when things did not go as planned, and we faced unexpected challenges and we had to find the strength to keep going,” she said. “But through it all, we learned the value of resilience and the importance of having a positive outlook on life.”