Seaford’s seniors celebrate at commencement ceremony
Seaford High Shool’s class of 2021 recognized the many obstacles they overcame during the Covid-19 pandemic and celebrated their graduation at the school’s annual commencement last weekend.
Families and friends watched 182 seniors file into the Tilles Center on Saturday to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
In his welcoming remarks, Seaford High Principal Scott Bersin told the graduates that he was grateful to celebrate their once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment. “I’m so happy and honored to be a part of all of it with you,” said Bersin, who will be leaving during the next school year.
State Sen. John Brooks offered his congratulations to the class. “All of you worked hard in this challenging year,” he said. “You did it together. Enjoy today and take it all in.”
“Today marks the culmination of 13 years of Seaford education,” said district Superintendent Dr. Adele Pecora. “You have had the good fortune of growing up with devoted and caring teachers . . . [but] in the fall, winter and part of the spring, you attended school using a hybrid model. Although you attended school every day, you were not afforded the opportunity to participate in events.”
In her remarks to her classmates, Salutatorian Kaylee Sanderson — who was introduced by Bersin as one of the “nicest, kindest and classiest people you will ever know” — thanked everyone who made the night possible.
“Looking back four years ago, I did not think that this chapter of our lives would look like this,” Sanderson said. “I guess they always say to expect the unexpected . . . I think that we can all agree that our high school
experience truly did epitomize that phrase.”
The Seaford Middle/High School PTSA award was presented to Valedictorian Julia Gambino and Sanderson; the SASA Student Leadership award went to Madeline Kollar; Mary Branche and Marissa McCandless won the United Teachers of Seaford scholarship; the Anthony Vuolo Student Council award was presented to Sarah Keane; and the Patriot Award, presented by Kenneth Haskell on behalf of the 9/11 Memorial Committee, was awarded to Craig Ackerman, Anna Butler, Gianna Cesario, Sarah Keane and Kathleen Tuohy.
After congratulating his fellow graduates, senior class President Colin Merrigan presented the senior class gift, a donation of over $1,000 for artwork to beautify the high school.
Gambino, the final speaker, reflected on a difficult senior year. “After a school year as long and as taxing as this,” she said, “I think it is only fitting to come together one last time as the graduating class of 2021 to commemorate the perseverance that got us here and to help celebrate all of our achievements along the way.”
Assistant Principals Jennifer Bisulca and Nicole Schnabel recognized each student as they received their diplomas from Bersin, Pecora and Board of Education President Bruce Kahn. The venue filled with cheers, chatter and laughter as the ceremony concluded.
