Approximately 7,560 hours were spent in the halls of New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Brenda Bolouvi, senior class president for the class of 2023, said. 

After going through each day of class, the countdown to graduation has finished and the time spent in those halls has passed.

“It truly goes by in the blink of an eye,” Bolouvi said. “We spent years dreaming of a day like this, and now we stand here with stoles on our necks wondering where the time went.”

The New Hyde Park Memorial High School’s Class of 2023 commencement ceremony was held Sunday morning at the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University. Graduates said bye to one another and the district that watched them grow up. 

Ava Geigle, the student council president, reflected on a senior year that included many lasts, but also as many firsts.

Geigle recalled the lessons New Hyde Park taught her and reflected on a senior year that allowed her to realize the importance of cherishing every second of what is around her.

“We most certainly are not the same people that we used to be. We are better,” Geigle said. “The ups and downs that we have faced are what have made us stronger.”

Salutatorian Taseen Tanzil spoke to his fellow graduates on the “journey of a lifetime” toward their dreams once their tassels turn from right to left. Tanzil recited Benjamin Franklin’s quote “Many people die at twenty-five and aren’t buried until they are seventy-five,” as a reminder to his classmates to let their ambitions soar. 

“Never abandon your dreams. If your dream still lives, if that castle still gleams as brightly in your eyes, then it is your obligation to lay the stones that surround you now,” Tanzil said. “With unwavering determination, we can accomplish incredible feats.”

Valedictorian Priya Persaud shared the importance of being trailblazers outside the walls of New Hyde Park, making the world a better place.

“if you want to see a change in the world, you need to pursue it,” Persaud said. ”You have the power to incite change. We have the power to make the world a better place. We just need to realize it.”

Persaud finished her remarks with a notable line from music artist Pitbull, also known as Mr. Worldwide. 

“This for everybody going through tough times. Believe me, been there, done that, but every day above ground is a great day, remember that,” Persaud recited.