During the final week of June, Valley Stream Central, North, and South High Schools along with Twilight Alternative School honored their graduating Class of 2025 in heartfelt commencement ceremonies. The gatherings were poignant moments, in which the Class of 2025’s respective valedictorians and salutatorians shared parting wisdom, and the students spent their last moments together as high schoolers.
At Central’s commencement, valedictorian Aarish Talukdar urged classmates to lean on their found communities. “Look to the right and left of you, Class of 2025,” he said. “The road ahead is filled with challenges, but if we all could find another tight-knit community like the one we made here, maybe then can a piece of those burdens be lifted.”
Salutatorian Shana Benny encouraged perseverance in her peers. “Whatever you believe in, I implore you—stay believing in something,” she said. “Believe that you’ve been brought this far for an intentional reason.”
For North’s commencement, Valedictorian Aleeza Dhillon reflected on growth. “Mistakes won’t define you, they’ll refine you,” she said. “Maybe high school wasn’t everything you expected, but it gave you everything you needed.”
Salutatorian Erin Garnier celebrated positive impact her classmates have had on their surroundings. “We’ve proven that even within school’s structure, we could create something meaningful and entirely our own,” she said. “Keep building the weird, wonderful things that only you can build.”
At South’s commencement, Valedictorian Bahrija Radoncic offered a metaphor for potential. “You’re not one fig, you’re that entire tree,” she explained. “If you’ve let a few figs fall, remember, they’ll come into season again. This isn’t the end, it’s only the beginning.”
Salutatorian Shalini Ramchune championed resilience. “Carry this light with you forever,” she said. “From your friend, I say: Don’t let anyone take your light away.”