Briarcliff HS Students Celebrate Graduation

From Briarcliff HS: The 167 members of Briarcliff High School’s class of 2017 thanked their teachers, hugged their classmates and celebrated with their families for the last time as high schoolers during the school’s 94 th commencement ceremony, held on June 16 at Pace University in Pleasantville.

The evening was filled with celebratory music provided by the chorus, band, orchestra and symphonic orchestra ensembles and inspiring words from many.

Briarcliff High School Student Council Co-presidents Jacqueline Contento and Julia Duffy welcomed their peers to the ceremony before all attendees recited the Pledge of Allegiance and heard a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by the chorus.

In her remarks, Principal Debora French assured the graduates, “I am confident that you are prepared and ready to move beyond the comfort of home and high school.”

She praised their diverse talents and passion for social justice.

“Remember, that where you want to be can’t be mapped with longitude and latitude,” said French. “Your destination is a feeling, a state of mind, an attitude. While it’s not possible to enter your life’s path on Google Earth, we are all certain you’ll arrive there, prepared to be entrepreneurs, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, advancing ideas, creating solutions and positively impacting the world.”

The graduates also heard from valedictorian Sophie Underwood, salutatorians Contento and Lauren Burnette, as well as their chosen guest speaker and social studies teacher, Sharon Comblo. In her speech, Underwood encouraged her peers to continue growing as they have through their high school years.

“We have transformed ourselves throughout our journey in high school. We have grown and learned; we are more independent and mature now,” Underwood said. “We have changed so much over the past four years, and I have faith that we will change just as much over the next four years.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. James Kaishian offered his own praise and advice to the graduates before each member of the class walked across the stage to receive their diploma. The ceremony ended with the traditional tossing of the graduation caps before the students took their first steps as BHS alumni.

Photos courtesy of the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District