On Friday, August 28, William Floyd High School celebrated the 27 newest members of the Class of 2026 at the annual August Commencement ceremony! The final members of this year’s graduating class were recognized before an audience of family, friends, faculty, staff, Board of Education members and administration.  

The Class of 2026 graduates include: Lucia Aleman, Giovanni Aprigliano, Angel Becker, Emanuel Benitez Gonzalez, Carter Bini, Sincere Brown, Zamira Brown, Jaylene Bynum, Madalynn Carter, Merlin Centeno, David Contreras Penafiel, Jada Cruz, Rachel Diaz Flores, Alan Fuentes, Liam Gannon, Kayari Johnson, Maliyah Marsh, Elizabeth Munoz, Cristhian Ramirez Riera, Julian Reddington, Ciahnna Reeves-Davis, Simaos Saca Sevilla, Jackie Salcedo, Juan Sanchez Osorto, A’Vonna Terry, Joseph Walsh and Jeremy Zuna Beltran.

The ceremony began with the traditional processional accompanied by “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by the Presentation of Colors by the WFHS NJROTC cadets under the leadership of Senior Chief Andrew DiDonato. Graduate Julian Reddington then led a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Summer school co-principals John DeBenedetto and Michele Manion then addressed the graduates and their families on this momentous occasion.

“Today’s graduation ceremony is your final lesson from high school,” said Mr. DeBenedetto. “It teaches you that with determination and support, anything is possible. It also teaches you the meaning of perseverance, because each of you forged your own path to reach this destination. And, most importantly, it teaches you that hard work pays off.”

Ms. Manion began her remarks by stating that the students graduating are the “epitome of Floyd Strong.” Directly addressing the students, she added, “Whatever you have gone through…you have come out with your diploma and no one can ever take it away from you.”

Before reading the Regents decree that marked their official graduation, Superintendent of Schools Kevin M. Coster encouraged the students to hold their heads high and be proud of their accomplishments. He also thanked their families for helping them cross the finish line.

“It doesn’t matter what challenge you faced, here you are, that diploma is the same diploma that went out in June, and today, it’s yours,” he said. “To the family members that supported these 27 graduates – thank you. Life is a marathon, you must persevere and endure, and you can’t do it alone, and these 27 students who will receive their high school diploma, needed you, and I thank you for that, because without you, they would not be walking across the stage.”

Each of the 27 graduates then received their diploma from the Board of Education trustees in attendance and were led in the tassel ceremony by graduate Angel Becker. The ceremony concluded with final remarks from William Floyd High School principal Phillip Scotto.

“I want you to look down at what you just received and what’s in your hand,” said Mr. Scotto to the graduates. “It looks like a little piece of paper with no weight. But little do you know that that’s probably the most weight that you’ve ever received. That is going to open doors for you that would not have been open had you not gotten it. This will help you find an easier path to success because you fought for it, you worked for it, and no one is ever going to ask you what month you graduated.”

Congratulations to all of the graduates and best of luck in your future!  

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