Annual commencement celebrates Northport High School Class of 2026
Northport High School’s newest graduates hold their diplomas during the annual commencement ceremony. Photos courtesy of the Northport-East Northport Union Free School District
Northport High School proudly celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 during its annual commencement ceremony, where graduates crossed the stage before family members, friends, faculty and staff to receive their diplomas and commemorate the culmination of their high school careers.
The ceremony recognized students’ academic achievements, personal growth and perseverance while celebrating the many experiences that shaped their journey throughout high school.
Superintendent Dr. Dave Moyer welcomed graduates and their families by introducing the concept of the butterfly effect, explaining how even the smallest actions can create meaningful and lasting change. He encouraged members of the Class of 2026 to consider the impact they will have on others and challenged them to lead lives defined by kindness.
“What if those winds became so powerful that they started to swirl uncontrollably?” Moyer said. “Then, maybe, just maybe, the Northport High School Class of 2026 could be responsible for a tornado of kindness in America.”
Moyer reminded graduates that while they may never fully realize the influence of their actions, every act of compassion has the potential to inspire others and create positive change throughout their communities and beyond.
Salutatorian Sabrina Martino reflected on the importance of embracing each moment and making the most of the time ahead. Drawing inspiration from Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If,” she encouraged her classmates to approach the future with intention and to recognize that how they choose to spend their time will define their lives.
“As we move forward, remember this: The unforgiving minutes will pass either way,” Martino said. “The question is whether we let them slip by, or whether we choose to live in them.”
She reminded her classmates that graduation marks not an ending, but the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities to grow, learn and create meaningful experiences.
Addressing the graduates on behalf of the Northport-East Northport Board of Education, Board President Carol Taylor congratulated the Class of 2026 on reaching this important milestone and encouraged them to embrace the opportunities that await them.
“The world you’re stepping into needs your ideas, your energy and your kindness,” Taylor said. “Whether you’re headed to college, trade school, the military or directly into the workforce, you have something valuable to offer. You are not just the future. You are the present, and your voice matters now.”
Taylor reminded graduates that success is measured not only by personal accomplishments but also by the positive impact they make on the people and communities around them.
Valedictorian Charlotte King reflected on the unexpected experiences that helped shape her high school journey and encouraged her classmates to remain open to new opportunities as they begin the next stage of their lives.
“As we move into this next chapter of our lives, where we have more freedom and choice than ever before, I urge you to be open to veering off course,” King said. “You may be surprised by the things that you grow to care about, and there will likely be more of them than you could ever imagine today. So, join an interesting club, take a class about something you’ve never heard of, or maybe just say yes to something that scares you a little. You might find something truly beautiful because of it.”
King encouraged her fellow graduates to embrace uncertainty, reminding them that some of life’s greatest opportunities come from exploring paths they never expected to take.
Closing the ceremony, Principal Robert Dennis reflected on the significance of the day and urged graduates to remain present as they celebrate this milestone and prepare for the future. He reminded students that while it is natural to focus on what comes next, some of life’s most meaningful moments happen when people fully appreciate the present.
“So be present,” Dennis said. “Not someday. Not when life slows down. Not when everything is perfect. Now. Call your parents. Stay a little longer. Laugh harder. Pay attention. Take the picture but live in the moment the picture is trying to capture.”
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