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Mostly Cloudy East Rockaway High School's Class of 2010
Graduation ceremonies held June 25
East Rockaway High School held its graduation ceremonies on June 25 in the Harry Bunting Auditorium with a filled-to-capacity audience of proud family members and friends there to witness the culmination of 13 years of schooling for the Class of 2010.
In her speech to the Class of 2010, Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Roseanne Melucci, recited a poem by Dorothy Law Nolte, which read in part:
If children live with praise,
they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance,
they learn to love.
If children live with approval,
they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition,
they learn it is good to have a goal.
“I realize that you are no longer children, but young adults about to make your way into the world,” Melucci said. “I ask you to be mindful that we all learn what we’ve lived, and that you do your part to make it possible for the world to be a nice place in which to live by being a positive role model.”
Valedictorian Erin Eschbach thanked her teachers and parents, and said to her fellow graduates: “Though it is now time to say goodbye to the old building … don’t ever forget where you roots lie, and don’t forget what those roots taught you …”
“Being a part of a small school like East Rockaway High School enabled us to form real bonds with our teachers,” said Salutatorian Steven Pastore. “I always felt that they truly cared about us.”
The guest speaker was Dr. Katy Burris, alumnae of ERHS Class of 1998 and currently a chief resident of dermatology. She advised the class to “find you passion — passion and purpose go hand in hand.” And of persistence, she said, “Anyone can stop you temporarily. You’re the only one who can do it permanently. There are no secrets to success ... success cannot be measured, only felt. Do not let others define what success is to you.”
