Under a beautiful blue sky, Walt Whitman High School’s Class of 2024 celebrated an emotional ending and a beautiful beginning. Diplomas were awarded to 495 graduates at the Commencement Ceremony on Friday evening, June 28th, on Whitman’s athletic field. Emceed by Assistant Principal Jonathan Varlamos, the honored students, their family members, and guests heard from Principal John Murphy, Board of Education President Nicholas Ciappetta, District Superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia, Valedictorian Angelina Liclican and Salutatorian Porter Chetty among others.
One of the most emotional moments for the graduates was to see their classmate, Cassidy Saravia Umanzor, who uses a motorized wheelchair to get around school - stand up - and use a special walker to walk to the graduation stage to get her diploma. She walked off the stage to a standing ovation from her classmates, her teachers and the entire audience.
What will always set this class apart from other graduates is that as ninth graders this class started high school during the Covid 19 pandemic. Walt Whitman Principal John Murphy told the graduates that was an early lesson for them about what life is supposed to be - full of uncertainty and change. “You faced the unprecedented upheaval of a global pandemic, adapting to virtual classrooms and found new ways to stay connected and engaged with both the school and community at large. Yet through it all, you demonstrated resilience, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to your education and to each other. These changes helped you become the person you are standing before us today,” said Dr. Murphy. Always an emotional event for Dr. Murphy, this year’s graduation was even more so because his son, Shaun, was one of the Whitman graduates and will be attending the US Military Academy at West Point.
Valedictorian Angelina Liclican also spoke of change and reminded her class that change cannot only be an optimistic concept, but an empowering one. “Because of the certainty of change, we don’t have to be afraid of it. Instead we can learn to count on it and embrace it. We can persevere through challenges more optimistically, or be better prepared when a sudden shift takes us from winning to losing. But maybe more importantly, we have the ability to control how we react to change. So let it be an opportunity for growth and restoration,” said Liclican.
Superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia told the graduates that this “constantly changing world” they are entering needs them. “As graduates of the South Huntington School District, you have been equipped with the skills and the knowledge to make a difference. But more importantly, you have been taught the value of kindness, integrity, and community. These values will guide you as you navigate the complexities of the world,” said Dr. D’Elia.
After all the heartfelt praise, words of empowerment and reminders about their potential, Senior Class President Eliana Kazin led her peers in the ceremonial “switching of the tassel,” followed by graduation caps being tossed high into the air.
Kazin also presented the Class of 2024’s gift to the school - a brand new Wildcat mascot costume in honor of the district’s redesigned Wildcat mascot and logo as South Huntington celebrates its 100th anniversary during the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. The updated Wildcat ran across the front track proudly displaying the Whitman flag!
This was also the first graduation to be held using the just completed grandstand area - with new ADA-compliant bleachers, a press box and concession stand, and concrete plaza.
Congratulations to the Class of 2024! We wish you nothing but blue skies from now on!
Watch the Class of 2024 Graduation again here!
WWHS Class Officers get ready to graduate at the beautiful outdoor ceremony.
Cassidy Saravia Umanzor, who uses a motorized wheelchair, walks to receive her diploma.