Principal sees former kindergartners graduate

Darren Gruen took over as principal of the James A. Dever School midway through the 2001-02 school year. His kindergartners that year are now high school graduates.

Gruen, at their request, attended the Valley Stream North High School graduation ceremony on June 26. He watched those students complete their educational journey which included seven years at Dever and six years at North.

“It was very heartwarming that they asked me to come,” he said. “I’m still someone that they remember and want to be a part of their lives.”

Many of those students have returned to Dever since leaving for North, whether it was to simply pay a visit or take part in one of the activities between District 13 and the high school district, such as the peer wellness program. Gruen said he knew all of the graduates that had gone to Dever. “I pride myself on the fact that I know all the kids that go to school here,” he said.

Gruen also enjoyed sharing in their successes. He noted that North’s valedictorian was a Dever student, and two other Dever graduates are going to Harvard. He said he wishes all of his former students the very best as they venture off to college or the working world.

“It’s nice to see how successful that the boys and girls who started here are,” he said. “They’re bright and they’re motivated and they’re driven children.”

After the ceremony, Gruen stayed around to chat with several of his former students, hear their stories and take pictures.

“I hope that them seeing me there to support them 13 years later, that [they know] that support has never waned,” he said. “I was just as happy to be there.”