High Schools honor graduating classes of 2024

Over the last two weeks, Tompkins County welcomed graduating students from high schools all over the area into adulthood, celebrating their accomplishments and individuality. 

At Ithaca High School’s commencement ceremony, Naveena Clark, student speaker, gave thanks to everyone who made her positive experience at IHS possible. 

“Today, I wanted to speak to express gratitude for our school, the teachers and staff in it, and to reflect on the gift of change,” she said. “Thank you to our teachers and support staff. Despite being overworked and underpaid, they show up for us every day.”

“Whether they stayed after school to go over test corrections, provided emotional support or made meals for hundreds of students to eat, their commitment to our education and our well-being helped us succeed,” Clark added. “I know it helped me, especially when I was a new student here. So, on behalf of the Class of 2024, thank you.”

Social studies teacher Phil Jordan, whom the students chose to be the staff speaker, said it was an honor to be one of the teachers for the Class of 2024. 

“Two days ago, one of my colleagues asked me why I was still a teacher. After all, this is my 34th year of teaching high school,” Jordan said. “So, perhaps he was suggesting that, you know, I shouldn’t still be teaching. But what I said to him is that I can’t imagine doing anything else. My students are a constant source of hope and inspiration for me. That said, any teacher who claims they learn more from their students than the other way around probably should be fired. So I hope you learned something, too.”

At New Roots’ graduation, three students who felt inspired to speak served as “valesalitorians.”

“Within the hurricane of the human experience, it can be hard to be fully focused and immersed in mandatory experiences such as high school,” said Valesalitorian Emi Asakura. “Despite all of this, in the four years I have been at New Roots, I feel like I have learned to appreciate the moments I am currently experiencing, feeling my emotions and fully seeing others in their light.”

“I’m so grateful to have gotten to know all of you in the past three years,” added Valesalitorian Zoai Ehrgott. “I can confidently say I’m so proud. You have all seen me grow, and I have seen you all grow.”

“This light symbolizes the great responsibility that comes with the role of being a senior at New Roots Charter School,” said Valesalitorian Echo Menter-Jones during the passing of the torch to the leaders of the Class of 2025. “The passing of this light illustrates the passing of responsibility, and we, the graduating class of 2024, are confident that you and your classmates will live up to our high standards and continue to cultivate a community that you can be proud of.”

Newfield High School’s graduation class is unique, said Superintendent Eric Hartz.

“They’re a very diverse group,” Hartz said of the students. “They look out for each other, and they’re very motivated in different community activities that they’ve done. You don’t always see that, as a group.”

Hartz said the Class of 2024 has a special place in his heart because they were the sixth-grade class when he became middle school principal in 2017. “They were my first sixth-grade class,” he said, “and even though I’ve been superintendent the last four years, I was able to keep close eyes on them. It’s been really cool to watch them grow all the way through and graduate and stand on stage with them.”

Valedictorian Angelina Masotti earned 61 college credit hours in the high school’s CollegeNow programming through Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) and graduated from TC3 on May 21. She plans to attend the University of North Dakota in the fall to major in Commercial Aviation, Music and Classical Studies.

Salutatorian Scianna Shank received the Rochester Institute of Technology Women in STEM Award and the University of Rochester Innovation & Technology Award. Shank will attend Rochester Institute of Technology to pursue a Photographic and Image Arts degree.

At Dryden High School, Class of 2024 Valedictorian Mckenna Crocker said she had a hard time writing a speech worthy of her fellow classmates. She worried it would not be good enough.

“When I was discussing this speech with my grammy, she shared something her mom used to always tell her: ‘You make your own happiness,’” said Crocker, who will attend Princeton University in the fall, majoring in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

“Although this sounds fairly self-explanatory, it is extremely important to remember in this day and age, when almost every aspect of our lives is picked apart by social media. We have lost focus about what makes us happy and are fixating on what will look good on social media. Whether you like it or not, you are gifted with one body, one mind and one life. It is crucial to remember to stay true to yourself. The only obstacle in the way of your own happiness is yourself.”

Salutatorian Raelen Green, who will major in geoscience at the University of Rochester, opened her speech by recognizing the faculty for its dedication and thanking all of the parents, guardians and family members for their endless support.

“We couldn’t have done it without you, and no one has made as much of an impact on us as you have,” Green said. “I’m immensely grateful for all of you.”

At the commencement ceremony in Trumansburg, the Charles O. Dickerson High School Class of 2024 gathered in the school auditorium to celebrate.

Salutatorian Greta Garrison thanked the members of the graduating class for all of the memorable moments they shared.

“Class of 2024, thank you for all your stories,” Garrison said. “I can’t wait to tell people that I knew you all back in high school.” 

“There is something special about our class,” Valedictorian Maren Friedman said. She encouraged her fellow students to follow their dreams, even when the adults in their lives advise them to take a more traditional path.

“We all have something, even if it’s not a career option, but something that reminds us of who we are and what we want to spend our time doing,” Friedman said.

“Fear and uncertainty play a role sometimes,” she added. “They’re indicating what really matters to us, and that fear and uncertainty comes second to the price of living a full life.” 

At the Lansing High School commencement ceremony, president of the Class of 2024, Grant Corso, gave a lively, humorous speech. 

“Congratulations,” Corso said. “You’ve made it through what could be best described as the longest, most tedious trial version of adulthood ever.”

“The road has been long, bumpy and uphill both ways,” he said, “and we made great friends along the way. … As we step out into the real world with our heads held high and Google Maps open, remember it’s okay to not have everything figured out. Life doesn’t always offer a syllabus on the first day.”

James Saroka, high school chemistry teacher, was invited by the students to speak at the ceremony.

“You are ready to begin a new chapter and paint on a fresh canvas,” Saroka said.

“Don’t be afraid to paint outside the lines,” he said. “After all, it’s your painting. … As you search for where your life fits into the fabric of society, stand up for who you are.”

At Groton High School‘s commencement ceremony, 2024 Class President Drew Bush quoted from the film “Forrest Gump.” Bush said, “Forrest says, `My momma always said life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.’ And that’s true, you really never know what you’re gonna get. One of the greatest things that we can take away from our time at high school is our ability to adapt to any situation.”

For more about the Groton ceremony, see our article in the June 26 edition of Tompkins Weekly. 

Read more about the school’s valedictorian, Jaden Wolf, and its salutatorian, Nicholas (Nick) Gamel, in our article about them in the June 19 issue. Find both articles online at tompkinsweekly.com/category/local-news/groton.