“There were countless warm welcomes, and now endless bittersweet goodbyes. There was always a place for us at O’Neill High School.”

Those were the words of O’Neill High School Class of 2026 President Isaac Porter as he welcomed a very large group of audience members to O’Neill’s 126th commencement ceremony on June 23. Held, as usual, in West Point’s Eisenhower Hall Theater, the commencement highlighted the accomplishments of the school’s 101 graduates, and bid them well as they move into the next chapters of their lives.

The ceremony was bittersweet, to use Porter’s word, for one person in particular – O’Neill Principal Robin Haberman, who retired at the end of the school year. In her remarks she told the students – and the many others she has encountered in her 30 years at the school – that they have kept her “inspired and optimistic, and young at heart”.

Before shaking the hands – and getting lots of hugs – of her students, Haberman reminded her students that, as they leave the comfort of their familiar high school halls, “life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. She also made sure that they know that who they have become as young adults stands out more than their individual accomplishments in high school.

“Years from now, people will not remember what you accomplished, but they will remember how you made them feel,” she said.

That theme – kindness – continued with the words of Superintendent of Schools Michael McElduff, who noted that he has known the graduates since he was their principal at the Highland Falls Intermediate School starting in fifth grade.

“You have made a positive impact on this school and community, and you really made a positive impact on me,” the superintendent said. He asked them to look out into the audience and, at some point that evening, acknowledge those who love and who have supported them through the years.

“Many of them were there for your first day on earth,” he said. “They were there for your first days of school, your first successes.” McElduff thanked the families for entrusting their students to the HF-FMCSD.

The graduates were led onto the ceremony by Valedictorian Saedi Post and Salutatorian Samuel Kloepper. Post reflected on her years at O’Neill by sharing some of her memories with friends, and said that if she could trade some of her accomplishments for more of those “moments of joy”, she would. Her parting words to her classmates were “Joy comes from people – always say yes to joy and to your people”.

In his comments, Kloepper invoked Batman, and in fact, opened his graduation gown to show that he was wearing a Batman shirt underneath. “Be a light in the darkness,” he said. “Be a beacon of hope.”

Kloepper also had the honor, as vice president of the graduating class, of presenting the class gift. With the financial assistance of the PTSC, the class will provide the funds to purchase new trophy cases for the hallway leading to O’Neill’s gymnasium. Kloepper said: “It is clear Raiders are winners. For over 50 years Raiders have brought home countless titles; and our once glorious trophy cases are in a shambles.”

Other speakers were student Shannon Faint, secretary of the graduating class, and Grand Marshall Heather Milano, a school guidance counselor for the last 11 years, who encouraged them to “be happy, healthy and safe”.

“You are way more prepared for what lies ahead than you think you are,” Milano said. “Taken what you have learned the past four years and catapult into the rest of your life.”

And speaking of catapulting … egged on by the crowd, one graduate – Dante Reive – politely handed Principal Haberman his diploma before making his way off the stage and completed a perfect back flip to the delight of all.

Members of the Board of Education assisted McElduff and Haberman in handing out diplomas. Other parts of the ceremony included the performance of the National Anthem and Alma Mater by members of the O’Neill Select Choir under the direction of Lucas Rau; and the presentation of the colors by members of the school’s JROTC. Members of the O’Neill High School Class of 1976 were on hand for the ceremony, on their 50th anniversary of their graduation.

For the first time in several decades, the graduation ceremony was not followed by an overnight ‘bash’ for the seniors – low expected attendance forced the cancellation of it. The students, however, had been celebrated at special events like a senior sunrise breakfast and recent class trip.