NEWBURGH – Newburgh Free Academy candidates for graduation arrived at the Main Campus Thursday, and eagerly searched for their assigned classrooms. There they were met by teachers and old friends as they adorned their caps and gowns in preparation for this momentous occasion. Meanwhile their families and loved ones searched for a prime seat on Academy Field to see their soon-to-be graduate. Both were equally excited for the 153rd commencement exercises.
Raul Rodriguez, Co-Principal NFA Main Campus, and Matteo Doddo, Co-Principal North Campus, each offered welcoming remarks to graduates and their families, as did Superintendent of Schools Dr. Roberto Padilla.
Salutatorian Brielle Maxwell, who will be attending SUNY Oneonta this fall to study chemistry, recounted her found memories of not only high school, but her entire academic life, before members of the Class of 2018 joined her in a dance dubbed the “NFA Shuffle.”
Valedictorian Allison Vela plans to major in Biomedical Engineering at the University of California in San Diego this fall. She has led a busy high school life. During her junior year, she was inducted into the National Honor Society, the Science Honor Society and the Italian Honor Society. She has also been a State ranked Varsity Girls swimmer for four years while advocating for those in need in our community.
Her advice to her fellow graduates before they walked across Academy Field was simple. “Live boldly, make mistakes, laugh often, show kindness and most importantly, never stop questioning.”
That advice has already been taken by Azariah McLymore. She received her Associates Degree from SUNY Orange a month prior to her high school graduation, along with 16 other PTECH students.
McLymore was still very excited to receive her high school diploma and start the next chapter of her life. “I put in a lot of dedication and effort and I believe that anybody can do exactly what I did,” McLymore said of her accomplishments. She plans on attending Brooklyn College in the fall and major in psychology.
Much like the Valedictorian and Salutatorian she has been very busy during her high school years. The founder of her own non-profit organization, the McLymore Foundation, she also planned a youth leadership expo. TedX, and she is a very involved member of Life Restoration Church. “After I finish my education I plan on returning to Newburgh and continue giving back,” McLymore said.
As the sunlight began to fade into darkness, more than 700 candidates for graduation, walked across Academy Field one more time as students, before leaving as graduates.
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