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Community Corner

Earl L. Vandermeulen Class of 2014 Joins Ranks of Port Jeff Alumni

Dressed in purple and white caps and gowns, the 2014 Earl L. Vandermeulen High School graduating class was warmly greeted by friends, family, teachers and administrators as they took their places at their graduation ceremony on June 27.

Held on the high school’s athletic grounds, the ceremony began with a welcome speech by Student Organization President Kirsten Crovello, who told her classmates that they are set to embark on a new journey where they can reinvent themselves. “We can step out of our comfort zone, take every opportunity afforded to us and travel,” she said.

In his address, salutatorian Kent Ueno spoke of the cooperation among his fellow students, who, he noted, had always been there to lend a hand. “While each of us has our quirks,” he said, “we all have cooperation and have helped to mold and shape each other over the past four years.”

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Parent speaker Dominick Famularo, who travels the world as a motivational speaker, gave sage advice to the graduates, but not before first taking a “selfie” with them. In his speech, Famularo told the graduates to always listen, to find their passion, to understand that dreams can change, and to never look at an obstacle as a problem, but rather as a challenge. “You can rise to a challenge,” he said.

Dr. Kenneth Bossert, superintendent of schools, reminded students that while they are leaving the Port Jefferson school district, they would “forever be part of our Royal family.”

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Rather than give a typical graduation speech, valedictorian Danielle Grier chose instead to deliver her words in the form of a thoughtfully worded rhyming poem in which she reflected on the past.

In ceremonial tradition, Dr. Bossert presented each member of the graduating class with a diploma, after which Principal Matthew Murphy wished the students well in their future endeavors. 

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