With heartfelt speeches, decorated caps, and a stadium filled with proud families, New Hyde Park Memorial High School celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025 at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Sunday, June 29. The event marked not only the culmination of four years of growth and hard work but also the beginning of new chapters for each student.
“What really hit me emotionally was when we finally walked into the stadium from the silence of the gym. It was like it all hit at once — graduation was happening and all our loved ones were watching,” NHP alumna Suha Tasfia said.
Principal Ms. Rosemary DeGennaro opened the ceremony with remarks focused on resilience, reminding graduates of the strength they developed during their high school years. Vice principals Mr. Geritano and Ms. Rodriguez each echoed this sentiment, offering short messages of appreciation for the class’s leadership and character.
The keynote address was delivered by Senior Alex Tomalski, who urged students to “apply pressure in every area of your life.” Tomalski’s speech emphasized grit, self-discipline, and the importance of pushing past one’s limits. On the other hand, salutatorian Clayton Yu reflected on his academic journey with a message rooted in humility and faith.
“I believe I could not have gotten here without my faith in God’s Plan,” Yu said.
Valedictorian Marco Valle used his platform to highlight the internal challenges many students face.
“Your greatest ally and your toughest opponent can both be yourself,” Valle said. “But the people you surround yourself with—classmates, teachers, mentors—make the difference. They push you to improve.”
“Being comfortable with public speaking has been my defining characteristic throughout high school but to be honest, I couldn’t help but feel extremely nervous on stage. I felt this way until I looked up at the friends and faculty smiling at me and I realized that I wasn’t alone in that moment. My last emotions weren’t spent worrying that our time together was over, but rather I was proud of the journey that led us to our graduation,” Valle said.
Throughout the ceremony, it was clear how much these seniors had shaped and been shaped by the NHP community. Many decorated their graduation caps with symbols of identity and growth: college logos, cultural references, inspirational quotes, and personal milestones.
“It was sad to see our favorite seniors leave and finish their high school journey, but also incredibly inspiring to see all they’ve accomplished and how many people supported them along the way,” sophomore Amy Jigon said. “The ceremony was heartwarming—it really changed how I view my own time in high school.”
As graduates move on, they’ll be attending institutions across the country, including Dartmouth, Cornell, Carnegie Mellon, Swarthmore, Biola, Indiana University, Stony Brook, Binghamton, RIT, FIT, Northeastern, the University at Buffalo, and other SUNY and CUNY colleges. The Class of 2025 continues NHP’s tradition of academic excellence and post-secondary ambition.
While the ceremony signaled the end of one chapter, it also captured the spirit of forward momentum. For the Class of 2025, graduation was much more than a milestone—it was a launchpad shaped by community, effort, and most importantly, a shared belief in the road ahead.
“Watching the Class of 2025 graduate reminded me that there isn’t much time left, and we have to truly cherish every moment,” Jigon said. “It was powerful to see all the effort that went into making the day so special—from the seniors to the staff—and it made me realize how close we are to being in their place.”