The Newburgh Enlarged City School District administration, staff, faculty and parents congratulated over 500 graduates for the completion of their academic journey at Newburgh Free Academy (NFA) at the 158th commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 22. Newburgh graduates received their high school diplomas in a final sendoff on Academy Field

“It is wonderful to see so many students, families, friends, faculty, staff and NFA alumni here to celebrate our graduates. We know that this is through your help that our students were able to accomplish this tremendous achievement. You should all be very proud of yourselves,” said Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell, Superintendent. “I know that it wasn’t easy to get to graduation day. I know how hard you [graduates] have persevered to get to this day. You faced trials and you celebrated victories, both big and small. Remember those occasions. Regardless of what you have faced so far, you have gotten through it. You will face other challenges and obstacles in your life. But I have no doubt that you will overcome them time and time again. I see you and I am proud of you.”

Several years ago, the graduating class of 2023 were only freshmen when the first news of the COVID outbreak led to the forced shutdown of businesses, global events and thousands of schools at all levels in the United States. Students and teachers transitioned to online instruction, classrooms turned to Zoom conferences, a kitchen table became a desk and graduations became digital. An unideal time for many. After what felt like a lifetime, students returned to the halls of their schools, some with new faces and familiar ones, all focused on making it to Academy Field in June.

Graduates gathered in front of NFA Main campus where they were led by faculty members, members of the NFA Air Force Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps [JROTC] and NFA Band members with a City of Newburgh Police motorcycle in front along South Street before entering the field gate. The NFA Band, led by band director Christopher Zoutis, performed “Pomp and Circumstance” as the NFA graduates processed onto the field and took their seats. The NFA Madrigals performed the Star Spangled Banner and the school alma mater, “The Yellow and The Blue.”

Susan Valentino, Co-Principal of NFA Main, welcomed families and friends to the ceremony and for the new graduates, she wished them well on their journeys beyond Academy Field as they will now join the NFA Alumni community like Valentino after their names are read and diplomas are given.

“Goldbacks, I stand here filled with immense pride and admiration for you, the journey has not been an easy one but each of you took on the challenges and persevered. You have worked so hard to be here this evening. It has been 13 years of hard work, dedication and personal growth. You have made us all so proud of your resilience and your determination,” said Valentino. “When I look out into the crowd, I see forever Goldbacks dressed in your caps and gowns with your sashes and cords around your neck. Among you, there may be a future doctor or a lawyer or a nurse, a carpenter, a plumber, a soldier or teacher, or maybe even the next principal of Newburgh Free Academy. No matter what you pursue, it’s about you and the person you choose to be. Graduation is not an end, but a beginning.”

Matthew Doddo, Co-Principal of NFA North, welcomed all those in attendance to the commencement. Superintendent Manning Campbell, and the Board of Education members were all recognized and welcomed during the remarks of congratulations to the graduates. “At every graduation, we all gather as a community to celebrate our students and soon to be graduates. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, family members and friends, we are all filled with emotion of excitement and hope. Hope of our community and our students,” said Doddo.

Doddo also reflected on an unfortunate moment from the school year and how it came to define the community in the minds of some of those outside.

“We are at times defined by negative and perceived reputation of this beautiful community. Unfortunately, on September 30 an event happened here after a football game,” said Doddo.

He referred to a shooting that took place after a football game in which three people were injured.

Following the shooting, schools that included Warwick and Monroe-Woodbury were not in favor of sending their athletes to the NFA campus following the incident.

“It was an event that we often see in the news in other places,” Doddo said. “However, we were quickly defined as such, quote, ‘it’s typical Newburgh, it’s who they are, it’s what they are.’ ”

Despite all the negativity and perceived perception, Doddo had this to say in response about his students and school community. “We [Newburgh] are defined by who people think we are, not who we really are. I tell you today that we will not be defined by negativity or perception. We’ll be defined by our sports teams who accomplished scholar athlete status. We will be defined by the performing arts students who perform, dance, sing and master their craft. We will be defined by our students in ROTC. CNA, criminal justice P-TECH, culinary, barberry, cosmetology, automotive, construction academy, job corps and on, and on and on,” said Doddo. “We will be defined by outstanding academic students, both high honors and those who have worked to improve their grades to become successful students and are here today with us. We will be defined by events like today, our graduation that makes us Goldbacks for life. When you hear your name announced today, be proud to be a Goldback.”

NFA’s Salutatorian, Jillian Brand, and Valedictorian, Aarav Shah, were then called to the podium to present their respective speeches to the graduating class, instilling words of wisdom and remembrance of the journey each graduate has taken to make it to pivotal moment on Academy Field.

“We came into high school with a drive and passion that we found essential to cultivate in four years. But then we reached a technicality, the pandemic, nothing was certain, none of us knew what to do. We all successfully conquered academic and personal challenges to make it through the rest of high school, and we truly did move upward and together,” said Brand. “As we’re about to walk across Academy Field, it is my sincere hope that every one of you will cherish all the little memories and moments that accompany the rest of your career because it truly does go by in the blink of an eye. Even though this one show is over, there’s still so many more memories that will accompany the rest of our lives, so enjoy every single instance you can.”

“As we stand on the threshold of a new chapter in our lives, I want to reflect on the invaluable lessons we have learned throughout our high school journey. It is undeniable that we have encountered failures along the way. That constant pressure to excel can be overwhelming at times, and it can be tempting to become solely focused on the end result.

However, it is important to remember that true growth lies not only in the destination, but in the journey itself. Every failure is an opportunity for growth; every setback, a chance to learn; and every obstacle, a path towards resilience. High school has taught us that success is not solely measured by accomplishments, but by the lessons we have learned, the strength we have gained and the personal growth we have experienced. So, my fellow graduates, I encourage you to embrace every experience, good or bad, as an opportunity to learn, to grow and to become the best versions of yourselves,” said Shah. “I have confidence that each and every one of us has the potential to achieve great things and make a positive impact. Congratulations, Class of 2023, and best of luck in all your future endeavors. Let us strive not only for personal success, but also for the betterment of our communities and the world around us.”

After the conclusion of remarks and speeches, one by one, each of the graduates made their way to the stage to receive their diploma, shake the superintendent and principal’s hands before walking off and having their photo taken to commemorate the occasion. Once all the graduates received their diplomas, a round of applause erupted from the stands and those on the field, thus officially marking the end of the graduates’ journeys. Families and friends hugged the newly celebrated graduates along South Street before heading off to their respective celebratory gatherings.