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Light Rain and Breezy Wantagh High School graduation 2018
Grads to ‘change our world for the better’
On the first day of summer, the 247 members of the Wantagh High School class of 2018 filed out of the school in their black caps and gowns and paraded around the athletic field’s track, to the cheers of their family members and friends who filled the stands. It was almost as if this was their victory lap topping off their high school careers — an experience that Olivia Zukowski, the salutatorian and class president, recalled vividly in her speech to her classmates.
Zukowski, who emigrated from Poland when she was young, said that her experiences — winning the Homecoming float-making contest as a sophomore, breaking up with significant others and studying all night for exams, to name just a few — shaped her and her peers over the past four years. She concluded her address by telling her classmates to forget the ideals of being “smart” or “well-rounded” and pursue their passions.
“Always remember that it is not how good you are,” Zukowski added, “but how good you want to be.”
Principal Carolyn Breivogel shared those sentiments. And she told the graduating class that, no matter what the future holds, they all share a common bond: They are all true Warriors.
“I hope that, in the years to come, you reflect back on your time as Warriors as happy ones,” Breivogel said. “You all have left a mark here and added to the rich history and pride of Wantagh High School.”
To that point, he thanked his parents and all 52 — with two more on the way — of his aunts, uncles and cousins, noting that while his schoolwork was important, his family always came first.
“Just to give you an idea of how crazy — I mean supportive — they are, if some of them weren’t able to get in, I guarantee they would be holding up traffic on Jerusalem Avenue and the side streets just to listen in,” Hennig said as the crowd laughed.
Kera McLoughlin, president of the Wantagh Board of Education, said that some would describe the class of 2018 as “kids these days.” But rather than use that timeworn cliché to disparage the class, McLoughlin used it to describe a generation that will make its mark on the world.
“When I see you,” she said, “I see hope, and I don’t worry about the future. In fact, I can’t wait to see how you will change our world for the better.”
Fifteen Eagle Scouts graduate
Among the 247 graduates were 15 Eagle Scouts that Anthony Fillizola saw grow from Cub Scouts to college-bound young men.
According to a 2015 report by Scouting magazine, only 6 percent of Boy Scouts reach the rank of Eagle. Fillizola, formerly Cubmaster of Pack 191, whose son Michael was one of those 15 graduates, mentioned that statistic as he profiled the 25 Boy Scouts who graduated.
“Sixty percent made Eagle, which doesn’t make any sense at all statistically,” Fillizola said with a laugh. “I could not be more proud of this group of kids.”
Ethan Rockitter, one of the Eagles, who refurbished a trail at the Roosevelt Preserve in Oyster Bay to complete the requirements for scouting’s top rank, said that his years as a scout taught him discipline, responsibility and accountability — and to have fun while working. All of his projects, trips and activities, he said, prepared him for challenges he had in high school and will face in college, such as having a roommate.
“The skills I acquired thanks to the great older scouts and scoutmasters is something that will last a lifetime,” Rockitter added.
Click here for a closer look at all 15 Eagle Scouts who graduated from Wantagh High School.
Dollars for Scholars president honored
At one point in the ceremony, emcee Frank Muzio, the high school’s director of guidance, called up Gerald McCrink, president of Wantagh Dollars for Scholars, to present the annual awards to 13 graduates. Little did McCrink know that Muzio had a special plaque made for him as well, which he received after awarding the scholarships.
“Mr. McCrink has been serving this community and presenting scholarships at graduation for 15 years,” Muzio said as McCrink’s eyes widened. “He has given his time and energy for the Dollars for Scholars program, and while we thank the donors and businesses that contributed to this fund, we especially want to thank Mr. McCrink for being here tonight, and every night at graduation since 2004.”
The graduating class and the crowd erupted in applause as the two men shared a quick hug and posed with McCrink’s award.
Eden Laikin and Alexandra Firmbach contributed to this story.
