POUGHKEEPSIE – Poughkeepsie High School held its 144th Commencement Exercises last Friday. This marked the third straight year the ceremony was held outdoors on the school’s football field, thus allowing everyone an opportunity to witness the graduation.
Superintendent Dr. Nicole Williams spoke about the graduating seniors like a proud mother. She told those gathered that the Class of 2016 had amassed nearly $1.5 million in college scholarships. That announcement was met with a thunderous round of applause.
“You inspire me to serve,” Williams said. “Today you join approximately 1.7 million high school graduates across this nation. Understand that while a high school diploma is an incredible beginning to a rich 21st century education, it is only a beginning,” Williams told the graduates. She encouraged them to continue to strive to achieve more.
It was also a bitter sweet day as well. Williams acknowledged that some students wouldn’t be graduating. “I pledge to commit to work tirelessly to reverse this trajectory; to continue to improve our graduation outcomes and to serve all students at high levels. We will not rest until 100% of our students achieve the rigorous standards set by the New York State Education Department.”
Principal Phee Simpson encouraged the graduating seniors to “stay the course.” She reminded the graduates of how their parents “entrusted you to us…as we prepared you to leave us.” Phee called upon them to remember the importance of perseverance, saying, “It will serve you well. It is through struggle and failure that you learn, grow and succeed.”
Salutatorian Simone Teage told her fellow graduates, “The last four years were difficult.” She admitted that she has grown and learned to deal with people. However, there were many moments from high school she will cherish. Those memories were due in large part to her friends. “Cherish those who made high school amazing.”
So her words of wisdom, advice and her high school yearbook quote were all the same. “It’s my life to ruin my own way.” Teague told her classmates that there are no more excuses that, “It’s on you. It’s your life.”
Valedictorian Issa Nesheiwat also spoke about his high school friends. “I wouldn’t have made it through high school without my three best friends,” he said.
He also spoke about his many teachers who made his high school experience memorable. He continued by thanking God and his parents, who never gave up on him. “I did this for them,” he said about achieving the goal of Valedictorian of the Poughkeepsie High School Class of 2016.
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