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Light Rain Freeport grads reflect on their big day
Freeport seniors celebrate at graduation
Monday’s Freeport High School graduation ceremony was set to start in five hours in Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports & Exhibition Complex. Four seniors gathered at Elliot Place in Freeport to be with one another one more time before dressing in their gowns and mortarboards.
Isaiah Louder, Victoria Wright, Maya Thomas and Nyeem Maloney have been friends since their days at Caroline G. Atkinson Intermediate School. Over the last four-plus years, they have supported and stood by one another, through it all.
The hardest part about going to college, they said, would be not seeing their high school friends. “I think it’s going to be tough, but I have Facetime and Skype,” said Louder. “I can always see them when I want to, but not being able to give Nyeem a handshake every day, that’s going to be different.”
Louder will attend George Mason University in the fall, where he will study biology and wrestle. Wright will study business administration at Baruch College in New York City. Maloney will also study business, but at the University of Pennsylvania. And Thomas will attend the University of the District of Columbia, where she will play basketball.
“It hasn’t hit us yet...,” said Maloney. “Our first day of classes this year, we’re not going to know anyone — just straight new faces. From there, that’s where I’m going to miss my friends more.”
By 5 p.m., the four were at the Hofstra University sports complex, which was full of soon-to-be graduates, their families and friends. Wright, the class of 2017 president, along with Valedictorian Kimberly Serna and Salutatorian Karissa Collins, delivered speeches highlighting memories they have shared. They attributed their successes to the strong support system at the school, the friendships they formed and faculty members’ high level of instruction.
“You all have worked so hard and come so far to reach this wonderful milestone,” Superintendent Dr. Kishore Kuncham said. “As we celebrate this journey, it’s time for you to be bold, embrace risks and act with urgency. I ask you to be fearless.
“Fearlessness,” he continued, “does not mean the nonexistence of fear. It means that fear exists, but you have tremendous energy, faith and courage to limit it and face it. I’m optimistic about you and our country. I have so much faith in each and every one of you, and I can’t wait to see all that you achieve in the years ahead.”
One by one, the graduates walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. Moving their tassels from right to left and throwing their caps in the air, they graduated.
