Suffolk Superintendents Recognize Class of 2021 Valedictorians

On Thursday, June 3, the Suffolk County School Superintendents Association continued its long-standing tradition of recognizing the highest-achieving graduates in Suffolk County. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 27th Annual Celebration of the Class of 2021 Valedictorians was presented as a virtual event. School superintendents, valedictorians and their parents gathered in small groups, within their own school districts, to view the event and celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of this year’s valedictorians.

SCSSA President and Center Moriches School District Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ronald M. Masera hosted the event, thanked the association’s corporate partners for their support in helping to make the event possible and congratulated the valedictorians on their success.

“Some of the most highly regarded schools in the nation are located in Suffolk County,” Dr. Masera said. “To achieve the status of a Suffolk County valedictorian is an extraordinary achievement.”

This year’s keynote speaker was Jon Gordon, well-known author of several books including “The Energy Bus” and “The Power of Positive Leadership.” He spoke to the valedictorians about the benefits of positive leadership and the true meaning of encouraging others to succeed.

“You have the power to transform the world,” Mr. Gordon said. “You decide your future. Be a positive leader and impact the people around you. Remember, the best is yet to come.”

The SCSSA would like to congratulate all of this year’s valedictorians, including Half Hollow Hills High School West Class of 2021 Valedictorian Ojas Mehta, and Half Hollow Hills High School East Class of 2021 Valedictorian Benjamin Goldfried.

This year, on behalf of the SCSSA, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District Superintendent of Schools

Dr. Patrick Harrigan presented Mehta and Goldfried with commemorative programs, a congratulatory video, certificates of achievement, the cherished childhood storybook, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss and Jon Gordon’s book, “The Energy Bus.” The program and video, which was created especially for the Class of 2021, featured information about each valedictorian’s school district, their formal senior yearbook photo, their college of choice and anticipated major. The choice of the storybook was certainly appropriate, as this year’s valedictorians plan to attend some of the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the nation.

In addition to recognizing the valedictorians, the SCSSA and their corporate partners awarded scholarships in every high school in Suffolk County to a highly deserving graduating senior planning to pursue a career in education or social services. Half Hollow Hills High School East senior Camryn Ramlogan and High School West senior Julia D’Alessandro were each selected by their district to receive a 2021 SCSSA scholarship this year. The $500 scholarships they have received will help them on the path to becoming leaders in the field of education.

An education-oriented community with high academic expectations, the Half Hollow Hills Central School District is located in a residential area of 50,000 people in the central part of Long Island, approximately 40 miles from New York City. Providing for the education of approximately 7,500 students, the school district has five elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. Half Hollow Hills High Schools are fully accredited by the New York State Department of Education. The district is committed to providing all students with equitable opportunities to excel in academics, athletics and the arts.