Health & Fitness
Peekskill High School Graduates 180 Students
The Paramount Theater in Peekskill was packed to capacity as family and friends came out to watch as Peekskill High School’s 180 graduating seniors receive their diplomas at the school’s annual commencement ceremony which took place on Sunday, June 29.
At the event, attendees had the opportunity to hear from the Class of 2014’s Senior Class President and Mistress of Ceremonies Afua Yeboah, Student Council President Jacobi Clarke, Salutatorian Paige Hill and Valedictorian Andy Martinez.
In her opening speech, Yeboah, who also lent her vocal talents to the day’s event alongside many other of the Class of 2014’s talented singers and musicians, congratulated her classmates and told them that “it has truly been an honor” being part of what Yeboah referred to as her “Peekskill family.”
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“We’ve done all that we needed to do at 1072 Elm Street and it’s now time to begin a new segment of our lives using the ammunition we’ve acquired during our high school years to propel us towards success,” said Yeboah, who will be attending New York University in the fall to study biology with the hopes of becoming a doctor.
Clarke, who will be studying biology at the University of Tampa this fall, had a similar message of inspiration to share with her fellow graduates as she delivered her speech.
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“Whatever is next for you, whether its college, service, technical school or working - excel in it,” Clarke told her classmates. “Peekskill High School and Peekskill City School District may not have given us every tool we’ll need for the rest of our lives, but they have given us the tools we need to be excellent, so use them and be great.”
Hill, who graduated with a 99.2 grade point average and will be attending Temple University in Philadelphia to study political science, delivered her salutatory address by recapping the story of “A Class Named 2014.” In her fairytale, Hill noted that each student’s “happily ever after” ending to their years of hard work at Peekskill High School has afforded them the ultimate reward.
“Take a second to think about where you are,” Hill said.” You are graduating high school. You have received one of the most priceless possessions in the entire world- an education.”
In his valedictory address Martinez, who graduated with a 99.4 grade point average and will be attending New York University to study civil engineering, told his classmates that their success was not a matter of chance, but one of determination, proper guidance and good choices.
“We’ve been steered in the right direction and given the tools to conquer obstacles,” Martinez said. “We have all come this far, and not by chance, but because we have put in time and effort. We have all listened to the right voices at some point or another and used that to achieve success.”
Peekskill High School Principal Fred Hutchinson and Superintendent Dr. Larry Licopoli also had words of congratulations and advice to offer graduates at the ceremony.
“Whatever your goals, make sure that every step you take is headed in that direction,” Hutchinson told the students he has overseen for the past four years. “Do not get lost or confused, do not get distracted or disheartened. Go and become whatever it is you are electing to be, and be great.”
Dr. Licopoli’s speech, filled with inside jokes and surprise performances, focused on a message of hope.
“My message to the class of 2014 is to have hope,” Licopoli said. “The kind of hope I’m taking about is the kind where we carry ourselves to be kind and respectful of all individuals. No matter what you do in life, be the type of person that will help others and make a difference…I ask you to go out and do this good work, shine a light on a brotherhood where all people are treated equally. Having high hopes needs to be our mantra.”
On that cue, Licopoli was joined on stage by the class of 2021 who, under the guidance of District music teacher Crystal Hernandez, performed a special rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “High Hopes.” Hernandez had the children sing a personalized version, with the words rewritten to praise the Class of 2014.
The children sang….
“Oops, there goes a Peekskill graduate...
Oops, there goes an active citizen...
Oops, there goes a special student like you.”
