East Meadow seniors look to the future

The East Meadow High School 2018 graduating class can be seen in the form of a “selfie” taken by Valedictorian Patrick Cruz during his speech. Seniors splashed similar photos across their Facebook, Instagram and other social media accounts as they donned blue robes at the school’s graduation ceremony on June 24.

The way in which high school students communicate has changed since Board of Education President Scott Eckers has been a student. In his address to the graduating class, he said to be cognizant of these changes and remember to connect with those around you.

Before taking his selfie, Cruz addressed the graduating class and offered his own bit of advice. He recalled what East Meadow Principal Richard Howard told the class of 2018 when they began high school four years ago: listen.

“As we become the "freshman" of the "real world", will it once again become time for us to listen?,” Cruz said. “I think the answer is yes . . . Listen to your parents. Listen to your grandparents. Listen to your professors. Listen to your co-workers. We often forget that our elders, no offense parents, were once the same age as us and faced similar challenges in life. As we move forward through life, I urge you to look to them for guidance as their wisdom is more valuable than anything I can share here today.”

Salutatorian Ariana Adames shared her advice with the graduating class as well, drawing on the sense of security that high school has provided her and her peers for four years.

“Once we leave these brick walls and frosted-lit classrooms for the last time, life is full of uncertainties that we must face in our very next chapters,” she said, adding however, that her and her peers must not fear the uncertain, but brave it.

“It meant for me a huge accomplishment for my daughter and for my family as well,” said Diana Bustamante, Adames mother, adding that her speech “definitely sums up everything she learned in high school.”

The graduation ceremony also included a performance of the National Anthem and a coming-of-age song called “Roots Before Branches,” both of which students in the Senior Chorale sang while others performed them in American Sign Language. 

Jennifer Corr contributed to this story.