Graceful grads say farewell to MHS

Malverne High School’s top three students were gracious as they delivered their commencement speeches on June 24, about one week after controversy rocked the school district and made headlines on Long Island and in other parts of the state.

They spoke about determination, ambition, camaraderie, family and hard work — and, with one small exception, did not mention the June 15 top-honors mix-up that left the district with two valedictorians and a whole lot of angry residents.

The district had named both Aalique Grahame and Sarah St. John valedictorians and Xavier Bernard salutatorian on June 15, after it was discovered a previous ranking error had named Grahame salutatorian and St. John valedictorian. But one day later, after backlash from the community, the Board of Education reversed the administation’s decision and named Grahame valedictorian and St. John salutatorian. Bernard was named third-ranked and asked to speak at graduation.

Despite the earlier controversy, the mood was festive and celebratory at the Howard T. Herber Middle School auditorium on June 24 as 164 students walked the stage and happily accepted their diplomas.