The Lynbrook High School Class of 2025 marked the culmination of their years of learning across Lynbrook Schools as they officially became alumni during their graduation ceremony on June 27.
Greeted by the sunlight on the Marion Street School field, seniors processed toward their seats as their green and gold caps and gowns shined. The LHS band performed the national anthem before Salutatorian Erick Diaz gave a heartfelt speech, “Blessings and Smiles.”
“What a blessing it is to be tired in pursuit of a challenge of your own choosing,” Erick said. “Sometimes, it may hurt, or the confrontation with failure may seem horrifying, but our ability to chase after our dreams is but a blessing after all.”
In her valedictory address, “The Interims,” Kate Santoli reflected on how her class’s collective achievement is both an end and a beginning.
“I’d like to think of graduation as an in-between moment – an interim that separates high school and beyond; childhood and adulthood,” Kate said. “We define our lives by the big moments… But the interims are where we grow, where we reflect, where we learn how to deal with failure, fear and uncertainty.”
Principal Matthew Sarosy lauded the Class of 2025 for their myriad accolades across extracurricular activities, athletics and all fields of study. “If your life was a book, you would have just finished the prologue,” he said. “Now comes the interesting part – and you’re holding the pen.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Paul Lynch recounted some of the seniors’ first day in Lynbrook Schools at the Kindergarten Center in 2012, when they learned about the “Lynbrook Owl” who exemplifies the community’s values and guided them throughout their educational careers.
“The wise old scholar is about to accompany you to go get your diplomas – but I hate to tell you he has tears in his eyes tonight. He cannot follow you this time,” Dr. Lynch said. “You are going to move on from here, but that wise old scholar, the Lynbrook Owl, has one more thing to tell you: ‘Home is where one starts from, and you started here.’”
Graduates’ names were individually announced as they rose to accept their diplomas from trustees and administrators. Upon the turning of their tassels, green caps soared high, triumphantly concluding the chapter on Lynbrook’s Class of 2025.
Date Added: 6/30/2025