On Wednesday, August 27, William Floyd High School celebrated 39 seniors who became the newest members of the Class of 2025 as part of the annual summer school graduation ceremony! The ceremony took place in the high school auditorium in front of an audience of graduates’ families and friends, in addition to members of the district’s faculty, staff, administration and Board of Education.

The ceremony began with a presentation of colors from the WFHS NJROTC cadets under the direction of Senior Chief Andrew DiDonato, which was followed by a reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance by graduating senior Cameron Malz. The graduates were then given congratulatory speeches from summer school co-principal John DeBenedetto and Dr. Malasia Walker, who presented on behalf of summer school co-principal Michele Manion.

“Graduation is often thought of as an ending, but in reality, its proof of your resilience,” said Mr. DeBenedetto. “You’re proving that the setbacks don’t define you, your response to them does. You’re proving that hard work opens doors and that when life puts up obstacles, you have the courage to climb over them step by step. I want you to remember this moment, not just for the certificate or the applause, but for the reminder of what you’re capable of doing. Your strength to sit in these classrooms during hot summer days, to stay focused when it would have been easier to give up, that is the same strength that will carry you through college, through careers and through every challenge that you face in life.”

Ms. Manion likened the graduates to rubies, a precious gem that she said symbolizes victory. “The trials and challenges you have faced on your journey to graduation have molded you into the person you are today, and today you are victorious,” said Ms. Manion. “Your passion, drive and perseverance carried you through to this point.”

Superintendent of Schools Kevin M. Coster also addressed the graduates and led them in the Regents decree. “There are very few guarantees in this world, but this high school diploma is a guarantee for you for the rest of your life,” said Mr. Coster. “Wherever you go, you are always a high school graduate of the William Floyd School District; be proud to be a Colonial.”

WFHS principal Philip Scotto also shared some parting advice with the 39 newest graduates. “I want you to think about the choices you made to get here today,” said Mr. Scotto. “We offer you the choice of staying in the regular school program, going to CI, home instruction, the Floyd Academy or summer school. You could have rejected any of those things, but you chose not to. You chose to go to summer school when you could have stayed home and gone to the beach all summer or gone to work. You could have delayed this into next year, but you did not. You chose to take a path in life to reach a goal and you did it.”  

Students also had the opportunity to address their fellow graduates during the ceremony, with Amarylis Manzolillo providing remarks before the awarding of diplomas and Sadie Catalano leading the tassel ceremony. Board of Education trustee Lorraine Mentz had the honor of presenting each graduate with their diploma.

The Class of 2025 graduates include: Tre-Zure Bell, Jennifer Benitez-Mejia, Timothy Bittrolff, Jr., Sadie Catalano, Ashley Cigarrero Aguilar, Jay’von Clarke, Jazel Cordero, Daniel Diaz, Nathaniel Dent, Omar Diaz Casco, Brianna Duran, Marlon Flores, Maison Forte, Ariana Galo, Britney Garchitorena, Saira Garcia Mendez, Allan Gil Gomez, Carl Hernandez, Ka’Ziah Horsford, Jelani Inegbenebo, Nathaniel Lincoln, Alyssa Lopez, Angelina Maldonado, Cameron Malz, Amarylis Manzolillo, Anthony Miller, Kimberly Molina Gonzalez, Kymani Moore, Veronica Occhiogrosso, Seyquan Patron, Jocelyn Peralta Jara, Emma Quattrocchi, Felix Reyes, Gisele Rivas, Lynajia Stokley, Nehemie Sylvert, Roxana Umanzor Martinez, Keyli Velasquez and Cameika Welch.

Congratulations to all of the graduates and best of luck in the next chapter of your lives!

Please click here for a copy of the program and see the full video of the ceremony below!