Among the students honored were Sarin Itty, the class’s valedictorian, who was awarded the American Association of University Women Westchester Branch’s Outstanding Student Award; Sebastian Bedoya, who was awarded the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition; Neasha Shuler, who won the Kevin Bass Memorial Scholarship; and Jasmine A. Blanks, who was awarded the American Red Cross Blood Services High School Scholarship, according to a statement from the high school.
Several school leaders spoke at the commencement, including Alexander Hamilton Jr./Sr. High School Principal Marc Baiocco, outgoing Board of Education President Matthew R.C. Evans and District Superintendent of Schools Joseph Ricca.
“Use the leadership skills you’ve learned at Hamilton and apply them consistently,” Baiocco said. “Do the right thing even when nobody is looking.”
The principal further urged the students to reflect on what their parents had done to help them along, according to the statement.
Evans, an Alexander Hamilton High School alumnus, expressed similar sentiments.
“Think about who helped get you here, who helped shape your life this far and gave you direction and meaning,” he said, later urging the students to consider joining the military or taking "other life-changing paths.”
Ricca stressed the importance of knowing right from wrong and following one’s dreams.
“If you are responsible for your own success, you may be able to do a lot of things that before may have seemed unreachable,” Ricca said. “The real difference is whether you try again if you are not successful the first time.”
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