Last week the Marlboro Central School District held their eighty-fifth commencement ceremony for the Class of 2021. Due to the lifting of Covid restrictions, the district was able to hold one ceremony on the football field at the high school before families, friends, staff, administration and the board of education.

Senior Class President Jessica Singh opened the Commencement Ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the Marlboro High School Select Chorus singing their rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.
Board of Education President Frank Milazzo said common phrases used to describe a Marlboro graduate are dedication, perseverance, integrity, honesty, caring, dependable and hard-working.

“The accomplishments of this class truly run far and wide. When looking back over their amazing success over the years, whether it be academically, in the arts, music, theater or sports, they’ve all been profound. Class of 2021 you are the future of this great nation.”

Salutatorian Sarah E. Mackey said that because of the pandemic, her class experienced four different schedule changes and three different types of learning.

“We had a rough start to the year but we finished stronger than ever before,” she said. “High School was meant to push us in more ways than one but with all the challenges also comes great outcomes and memories.”

Mackey urged her fellow graduates to, “Live past all the boundaries you once thought existed; Do not be afraid to break the status quo to become the person you’ve always wanted to be. Listen to the people who support you because they will always have your best interests at heart; and always remember why you want to do something, as this will help you feel grounded if you ever feel lost.”

Valedictorian Briana V. Bernicker reminded her fellow graduates of their long journey together that began in kindergarten, calling it, “our first step of independence” and realizations that elementary school was full of new beginnings, making loyal, life-long friends, riding on the scooter boards, scheming in capture the flag, field days, potato sack races, gym classes and playing hot cross buns. Upon moving up to Middle school they had to get used to changing classes, lockers and attending their first school dances.

Bernicker said as High School Freshman, “we were little fish in the big pond.” She described Sophomore year as a “blur” but called it the most pivotal year because it, “tested our sense of identity and character. It was a time when our course work began to pick up. Classes became harder, which tested our resiliency and sense of time management. It was also the time when we began to be asked questions about our future.”

Bernicker said the pandemic cast a shadow upon their last two years of high school. It cut out many important activities and milestones for the Class of 2021 – curtailing attendance at football and basketball games, shutting down drama productions and canceling the senior class trip to Six Flags, but, “we were able to have a Senior Prom, a senior field day and a senior sunset event. Remember the sun continues to rise even after the darkest and gloomiest of days and each day represents a fresh start, a promise of new hopes and possibilities.”

Bernicker concluded her address with a poem that ended with:
“When you cross the stage
walk with your head held high
For now we must spread our wings
as it is our time to fly”

The traditional Cane Ceremony was first held in 1935. Each year the departing class adds their tassel to the cane, which symbolizes the completion of their duties and is prominently displayed in the high school. This year Senior Class President Jessica Singh placed the tassel of the Class of 2021 onto the cane that was held by Junior Class President Vesa Lokaj, symbolizing the transfer and guardianship of school spirit and leadership.

High School Principal Ryan Lawler urged the Class of 2021 to, “take the path of challenge in life, get back out of your comfort zone, set your alarm, get up, get dressed, make an impression and put your all into everyday of your life. Contribute to whatever team you are on. We are all drawn to hard-working, positive people, clearly on a mission to accomplish goals. Be one of those people. I firmly believe the world can be a better place for all of us if we treat each other with respect and take a positive, hard-working path.”

Superintendent Michael Brooks said the Class of 2021 is not, “defined by adversity, nor difference, nor events, rather you’re defined by action, by challenge and by fortitude. 2021 has for some become a moment of despair and lost experiences but for our graduates it’s a time of rebirth and a chance to start something new.”

Brooks encouraged the graduates to live the words of Albert Einstein: “Try not to become a person of success, but rather a person of value” He told the students that, “beyond your academic goals or your earning potential...chose to be kind, make sure the decisions you make in life enhance you and make sure you keep your moral compass facing north.”
Brooks stressed the importance of how you fill your time from birth to death that is marked by a dash on everyone’s tombstone.

“It’s about the condition of your heart, not about being perfect or just the things you do, but really the dash is about who you became in life, your journey in life is your dash. One way to fill your dash is to always be good to people. No one ever stands tall when stooping to harm another. Be kind, live your truth and allow those around you to live their truth also.”

Brooks told the students to take in the importance of their accomplishments in high school because tomorrow’s possibilities are endless.

The Conferment of Diplomas was followed with the students leaving the field to the Grand March from Aida by Giuseppe Verdi.