Thursday, October 1, 2026
Jordan Ochs, Long Beach High School’s valedictorian, mused before his graduating class about their bright futures.
“Even as young as we are, it is time to find our own paths to happiness,” said Ochs, who will attend Georgetown University in the fall. “We have a lifetime ahead of us to create something, because it is what we create that defines us. This is how we succeed.”
Last Sunday, the high school gym was teeming with hundreds of friends and family members as the 298 graduates of 2011 celebrated the school’s 88th commencement. As cameras flashed, the honorees made their way to the podium amid cheering and applause to receive their diplomas, which many waved at their loved ones. Then the graduates ebulliently tossed their blue satin caps.
“We did it, no regrets,” said senior class Treasurer Dalvin Goodridge, who plans to study psychology at York College this fall. “I’m hoping to enact things that I’ve already learned [in high school] into my life because I am ready to start my life.”
It has been a year full of accomplishments at Long Beach High: The class of 2011 counts one National Merit Commended Student, one National Merit Hispanic Scholar, 15 A.P. Scholars, one All-State musician, 16 All-County musicians, a delegate to the Senate Youth Program and two award-winning film producers. Four seniors earned medals at international science competitions, and four others won awards for their writing in state and national competitions. Two were All-State athletes, one was a state champion and another was a state qualifier.
Additionally, 92 percent of the graduates earned Regents diplomas, while 96 percent are going on to two- or four-year colleges.
Salutatorian and accomplished pianist Sophia Xu performed musical interludes that she said left an indelible mark on her as a student, and that she used to represent the graduates’ journey into adulthood — ranging from “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” to Beethoven’s “Sonata Appassionata, Movement No. 3.”
“There will always be yesterday’s mistakes and memories — without them, we wouldn’t be who we are today,” said Xu, who received a standing ovation after her performance. “Though high school ends, learning does not, because it is a lifetime process.”
