Power of appreciation major theme at NHS graduation

The annual Northport High School commencement ceremony took place in two sessions inside the school auditorium on the evening of Friday, June 23, celebrating members of the Class of 2023 as they head off to shape their futures. Welcomed by the high school honor band, students proceeded into the auditorium while reflecting on the four years of hard work and determination that led them to this exciting moment.

Senior class president Maeve Carroll led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance before Principal Rob Dennis took the stage. While addressing the crowd, he thanked all of the families and staff who have helped students reach this milestone. The Northport High School choir continued their tradition of singing “Fields of Gold” before Salutatorian Dessa Kavrakis took the stage.

Kavrakis spoke of the important role that her family and Greek heritage has played in her success, and the importance of finding balance in life. ”These lessons can be learned from anywhere, in the classroom and absolutely beyond,” she said.“Hard work and focus do not imply a life devoid of balance. In order to enjoy the journey, you must take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally.”

Principal Rob Dennis spoke of time, and how it is both a gift and thief. “You are sitting here today as proof to your parents that time flies,” he said to the graduates, before encouraging parents to remember how precious time is and reflect on the many memories made in the years leading up to this moment.

Students then approached the podium one by one to receive their diplomas and mark the completion of four years of hard work.

Afterward, Valedictorian John Dwyer took to the stage to address his peers and speak of the importance of appreciation. “As students, appreciation lies in the opportunities made available to us, and the people who made our efforts to achieve worth it. Like the teacher who challenged you; or the classmate that made your day a little bit better,” he said.

Dwyer emphasized that appreciation, gratitude and kindness have the greatest impact on the world and people around you. “Gratitude is so valuable and easy to show. Everyone wants to feel appreciated and sometimes letting someone know what they mean to you is just what they need,” he added.

He also spoke of a friend he lost to suicide this past September and noted that “loss and the fear of loss has a way of strikingly reminding us to be grateful for things,” he said. “Since Matt passed away, I’ve done my best to let the people around me know how much they mean to me. I think I’ve said the words ‘I appreciate you’ more times in the past nine months than in my entire life,” he added.

Dwyer thanked God, his parents and sisters, his teachers and coaches, security and maintenance teams, and his friends and peers. “Day in and day out, you’ve been there for me. In good times and bad, I’m truly thankful to have gotten to know each and every one of you. It’s this combination of people that make Northport so special to me,” he said. Dwyer said that in Northport schools, people, including teachers, coaches and parents, do not settle – they go the extra mile.

“Whatever support you may need is never too far away in this town,” Dwyer said.

At the end of the graduation ceremony, Sam Rosenfeld-McMahon led his peers in the tassel change, commemorating their final moments as high school students.

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!