NFA Celebrates 2022 Commencement Ceremony

NEWBURGH – On Thursday, June 23, Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) seniors could be seen rushing to get to school. On any other day that might seem odd, but today was the culmination of their many hard years of work – graduation day.

With caps and gowns in hand, they prepared to take their final steps as high school students.

Approximately 700 students lined up in front of NFA to form the academic processional of graduates. With a motorcycle police escort, the NFA Band led the way down South Street, onto Academy Field.

Principal Matteo Doddo offered welcoming remarks to the family, friends and graduates of the Class of 2022. He noted that the next day was the 40th anniversary of his high school graduation. What he remembered from that day were questions – “What now? What am I going to do 10 years from now? 20 years from now? 30 years from now? 40 years from now?”

Doddo said, “I was really thinking about where I came from and how did I get on this field.” He spoke about the many people who impacted his life up to that point, including his many teachers.

Doddo closed his remarks by introducing the future class of 2034. As the young students walked across the field, the class of 2022 cheered loudly. “Imagine this. Twelve years from now. They will be sitting where you are today, being able to be called an NFA graduate, an NFA Alum, a true Goldback.”

Newburgh Free Academy Valedictorian Megan Cameron was proud to be representing the Class of 2022.

Cameron said the last four years have forged a unique bond between all of them, that will hold for the rest of their lives. The class has experienced unprecedented hardship and loss, but they faced them together.

Cameron pulled double duty as she also served as the senior class president. That position allowed her to witness first hand numerous sports championships, musical performances, powder puff football for seniors, and spectacular murals that were painted on the hallways of the high school.

“I am so grateful for the friends I have made here. You guys have no idea how much you mean to me. Thank you for believing in me, appreciating me for who I am, and being the reason I look forward to coming to school every day,” Cameron said.

Following the speeches, Interim Superintendent of Schools Ed Forgit certified the Class of 2022 and members of the Board of Education handed out the diplomas.

The first diploma was handed to Mr. Robert Ross.

Ross was enrolled in the Army during his senior year at NFA and proudly served his country. As a result, he didn’t get his diploma or participate in the graduation ceremony. The proud father and grand father was thrilled after so many years to receive his high school diploma as part of the New York State Operation Recognition. He received a standing ovation.