Newburgh Free Academy faculty, staff and families celebrated the final members of the graduating Class of 2023 with their August commencement ceremony on Monday, August 21 held on Academy Field. Alongside the graduates, philanthropist and entrepreneur William Kaplan, NFA Class of 1945, was also inducted as the inaugural member of the Newburgh Free Academy Hall of Fame.

Graduates and faculty were led by the Newburgh Free Academy Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Color Guard along South Street before making their way onto the field to their seats. For this ceremony, graduates faced the stadium bleachers and searched for the parents and families in the stands.

NFA Co-Principal Matteo Doddo welcomed the graduates, faculty and staff and other dignitaries to the ceremony. As he shared some words with the graduates as they make their way onto the next stage of their lives, he wished for their continued success.

“When your name is announced today, you will continue to write your story. It is my hope that you see how you’ve impacted the Newburgh community, even through the many ups and downs that we have experienced as the NFA and Newburgh family,” said Doddo. “You have persevered and made us all proud. You are all amazing individuals who will continue to make Newburgh very proud. Continue to write your story, continue to believe in yourself, because when you do that you will inspire and empower others to believe in themselves.”

Andrew Cameron, Extended School Year Principal, expressed his praise and pride for the 94 graduates before him as they eagerly waited to receive their diplomas and continue the next chapter of their lives beyond NFA. He hopes that these graduates will come back and stay connected to their NFA family.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jackielyn Manning Campbell, who had the opportunity to again throw a celebratory football, was called to the podium to bestow her words to the graduating class. “It is wonderful to see so many students, families, friends, faculty, staff and NFA alumni here to celebrate our graduates. We know that it is through your support that our scholars were able to accomplish this tremendous achievement,” she said. “Graduates, I know that it was not easy to get to graduation day, you have persevered and overcome countless challenges to get to this point. You will face other trials and obstacles in your life, there is no doubt about that. However, I am positive that you will overcome them time and time again. I see you and I am very proud of you.”

For this ceremony, Manning Campbell had the honor of announcing and inducting William Kaplan into the NFA Hall of Fame. Kaplan was joined by his daughter, Joan Kaplan, and other members of the Kaplan Family. As an entrepreneur and philanthropist, one of the many ventures that Kaplan has been proudly involved with has been the founding and creation of the Newburgh Armory Unity Center. The Newburgh Armory Unity Center provides children across the Newburgh community and beyond with educational enrichment opportunities.

In celebration of Kaplan, an honorary letterman jacket with his embroidered name on the right side, the traditional “N” for Newburgh and the words “Every Goldback Every Day” was given to him along with an honorary gold “N” pin with “alumni” along the side of it. Later in the year, Kaplan will receive a personal plaque recognizing his achievement, along with a plaque that will forever hang in the Hall of Fame.

“Thank you, Mr. Kaplan. Your lifetime achievement will live on through our children in our community for decades to come,” said Manning Campbell. “Thank you for being a role model for our scholars and our educators and for living out the Goldback standard each and every day.”

In Kaplan’s brief remarks, he looked out into the stands at the parents and thanked them for being there and for bringing their children each Saturday morning to continue the mission of the Armory.

Manning Campbell followed with the certification of the graduates that they have qualified for their New York State high school diploma. As the names were read one by one, families and friends cheered along. Once the graduates were back to their seats, they were led in the movement of their tassels and thus concluded their academic journey.