The Wheatley School Co-President Mahdi Bhalloo reminded his fellow graduates Sunday morning to keep on running, just like one of their former classmates. 

“Set a goal and keep running towards it,” Bhalloo said during Wheatley’s 66th commencemen, “no matter how impossible or unrealistic it may seem.”

Bhalloo began his speech by dedicating it to Anthony Leva, who he said was “a man of selfless and impeccable character.”

Leva, a rising junior at the time, died from cancer in 2021. Bhalloo reflected on his freshman year when Leva convinced him to join the track team. The co-president described Leva’s perseverance when Bhalloo wanted to stop in the middle of a three-mile run, which Leva would not allow. 

“For the rest of high school, I made it my mission to keep on running, both literally and figuratively,” Bhalloo said. 

The morning began with remarks from Superintendent Danielle Gately, who reflected on the achievements of the class of 2023. 

“Throughout your time here you have consistently demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence, surpassing expectations and seeking knowledge beyond the confines of your classroom,” Gately said. “Your dedication, hard work and intellectual curiosity have propelled you to achieve outstanding results.” 

Fellow Co-President Tyler Richman shared his thoughts on what he considered the unsung heroes of his class’s high school journey, their backpacks. 

Richman described what he saw throughout his four years at Wheatley, which included the observation that students would rather shove everything possible into their backpacks instead of using their lockers. 

“From 2018 until now, our grade has been through some tough times, but through it all we have leaned on each other, sharing the weight between all our bags, even if we didn’t have to,” Richman said.

Richman also spoke of Leva, describing him as someone who always went out of his way “to hold other people’s bags, even when he had one on.”

“Anthony, we will never forget you and thank you for teaching so many of us that no bag is too difficult to carry if we all help out,” Richman said. 

Sonia Patel, one of two students picked by a panel of faculty and students to read an honor essay, reflected on how she first felt navigating Wheatley as a freshman to today, where her map of the school is marked by memories.

Patel took attendees on a journey through the school, acting as their “Wheatley Welcomer,” a group of students that help get incoming freshmen acclimated before the first day of school.  

Patel added that as the class of 2023 graduates, it is time for them to make their own maps in college. 

“Just as this tour has come to an end, so has our time at Wheatley,” Patel said. “My map is finally complete, but it’s time for me to leave. It’s time for us to leave.

Ryan Cozzolino spoke about what made a well-rounded student, the importance of learning outside the classroom and “what was the point?”

Cozzolino reflected on the pursuit of academic versatility at Wheatley and the importance of the joy of self-discovery in high education before finding the answer to his first question. 

“Life is about finding ways to make ourselves and all of the people around us happy,” Cozzolino said. “One thing will certainly not change, no one will force you to be happy, no one will create your joy. The quest for personal satisfaction is solitary, but at least it will be your own.”