By Nadine Cafaro
Though their graduation time moved up to 4 p.m. due to inclement weather, on top of getting rained on anyway, the Pine Bush 2023 graduating class still sat on the Thomas F. Lonergan Field in blue and gold gowns waiting patiently to throw their caps high in the air.
Nearly 400 Pine Bush students walked across the stage last Friday for their annual commencement. Faculty members, administration, Board of Education members, family and friends gathered on the football field with umbrellas to watch the ceremony unfold.
After seniors walked to their seats on the field while the concert band played “Pomp and Circumstance,” Senior Class President Jackson Schultz led with the Pledge of Allegiance. Following this, Pine Bush Principal Aaron Hopmayer and Superintendent of Schools Brian Dunn provided some remarks.
“This is the quest and the adventure that I most want to wish you my very best in terms of your success, your bravery, and your courage,” said Dunn. Hopmayer followed, encouraging the students to never stop learning or caring.
“Do not be tied to outdated ideas. Be curious, be open minded, be humble. Learn from your successes and your failures. Learn from others and learn from yourself, and finally, never stop caring,” said Principal Hopmayer.
After the introduction of honor graduates from Hopmayer, which included the top 30 students in the class, Salutatorian Colby Zupetz made a speech. He encouraged his fellow classmates to find their passion and follow it.
“If there’s anything I want all of you to take away from today, it is the lesson of living a life worth living. Have fun and do things with a burning passion. When you take time to do the things you love, you’ll find yourself a lot happier,” Zupetz stated.
After this, six recipients, including three community members, one staff member and two seniors, received principal awards. Following this was the second honor graduate address from Valedictorian Rebecca Magnetico.
“It’s time to add new characters to our story and maybe even change the setting. It’s okay not to know the right way to write this next section, or even the title of the novel you’re trying to create for yourself, because you are in control of the pen and paper,” said Magnetico, who compared the next stages of their life to storytelling.
After this, Magnetico led the class in turning their tassels, and soon after, the 2023 senior class eagerly grabbed their diplomas as their names got called.
After the ceremony, the students walked off the field to “Fanfare Medley” and arrived near the front of the high school to greet their loved ones and celebrate the momentous day.