Ninety students from Ellenville Senior High School are now on their way!
On June 23, the seniors and their families celebrated their successes during a commencement ceremony held in the school’s auditorium. The graduates were encouraged by their principal, Carl Pabón, and Ellenville Central School District Superintendent Lisa Wiles, to "think big, be great, and be a positive change agent in the world.”
Class of 2023 salutatorian Antonella Silva gave gratitude to the Ellenville teachers, and to all of the students' supportive and loving families and friends. She also encouraged her fellow graduates to chase their dreams, and talked about how she struggled to find her interests in life. She had many and considered lots of different careers that were “safe” and would make her a lot of money. She had never considered doing what she truly loved until she discovered her passion for art during her junior year.
Antonella encouraged the students to not be held back by the fear of imperfection and to find what makes them happy. “Know who you are and what you stand for, and I have no doubt that you will all go on to do great things,” she said.
Valedictorian Shyama Patel spoke to her classmates about perseverance and appreciating the little things. She said she learned the hard way as she watched her mother fight cancer four times throughout her time in High School. Shyama said that she did not appreciate her mother’s warm cooked meals and all the details she took care of until they were no longer there.
“As humans we become obsessed with our ‘lasts,’” she said. “When the last day of school comes around we make sure it is perfect, as if the other school days didn’t matter. When we watch the last episode of a show, we value it more than the others. But life does not always give you the luxury of knowing when something will be your ‘last,’ so live life like it will be your last.”
Shyama closed by encouraging her fellow graduates to acknowledge their teachers and mentors who have inspired them, and to recognize and appreciate the little things that often go unnoticed.
“By doing this we can find happiness and contentment even in the most challenging of circumstances,” she said. “Congratulations to the Class of 2023, may you all live this life like it is your last!”
Congratulations to this year’s graduates!