The New Hyde Park Memorial High School graduating class of 2012 turned their tassels to the left side of their caps just before they tossed them in the air  for their graduation ceremony at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex last Sunday. 

Michael DeMartino, outgoing principal of New Hyde Park Memorial High School, was acknowledged by those in attendance for his 39 years of service.  DeMartino also served for 32 years served in the U.S. Army, National Guard and the Army Reserve.

“I am very proud of the young men and women who are graduating today,” said DeMartino.

New Hyde Park Memorial Student Council president Nirmala Singh gave the invocation and congratulated DeMartino on his retirement. 

“We thank you for all you have done for our school, now you will be graduating as well,” said Singh. “Today, we leave our childhood behind, and the memories we have shared at New Hyde Park High School will always have a special place in our hearts,” 

Her closing statement was a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their own dreams.”  

Singh will be attending St. John’s University in the Fall.

Ralph Ferrie, superintendent of the Sewanhaka Central High School District, cited examples of people and companies that became success stories initially struggled.

“Dr. Seuss was rejected 23 times before he finally found a publisher for his first book, which sold 6 million copies. In their first year of business, Coca Cola sold only 500 drinks. Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. We achieve only what we set out to do,” said Ferrie.  “These are stories of perseverance.”

Senior class president Devon DeSanna quoted a line from “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”  

DeSanna thanked her fellow students, teachers, administrators, but extended her greatest thanks to her parents and family.  She will be attending Fashion Institute of Technology in the fall, and left the podium with the saying: “It’s the people you meet along the way that make the journey worthwhile.”

New Hyde Park Memorial valedictorian Geoffrey Lin, introduced by DeMartino as someone who is “soft spoken,” has received virtually all the academic honors that New Hyde Park High School offers. He was also a standout player on the varsity volleyball team. Headed for the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, Lin spoke of what him and his fellow students can expect as they progress in life.

“We are not given the certainty that life will play out just how we want it to, but isn’t that what makes it interesting?”  Lin said, concluding his speech with a line from George Bernard Shaw: “The people who say it could not be done should not interrupt those who are doing it.”

Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello, a life-long resident of New Hyde Park and class of ‘78 graduate, spoke followed Lin by expressing his appreciation for the other speakers’ remarks.

“It’s a tremendous honor for me to be here and speak at your graduation ceremony. As a graduate of New Hyde Park High, the world changes so quickly,” said Nicolello.  

He compared the two generations, saying,  “We had rotary phones, vinyl records and 13 stations on television.  Today, you have iPads, the internet and other amazing technology.”  

He told the graduates to “grab a hold of your future and life, learn from your mistakes, and never think it’s too late to make a difference.”

Following the presentation of diplomas, salutatorian Parth Trivedi delivered the farewell address.  Trivedi has the second highest GPA in his graduating class with 101.3, received a perfect score on his ACTs and will be attending Cornell University in the Fall.  

“We leave behind a wonderful chapter in our lives today, but there are bigger and more important things that lie ahead,” said Trivedi.  “In order to arrive in the right place we must ask the right questions.”  

Trivedi suggested his fellow graduates ask “How?” and to keep moving forward.

Following the turning of the tassels and tossing of caps, the processional march was performed by the New Hyde Park Memorial band, directed by Noel Monat.  The Select Choir, directed by Robert McKinnon, also performed during the graduation ceremony.