Dear Community Members, I hope you are all having a wonderful summer! Welcome to the latest edition of On the Line. In keeping with tradition, we dedicate this to our graduating class. On behalf of the Board of Education, the entire administration, and faculty, congratulations to the Garden City High School Class of 2019, as well as our students who are moving up to new schools this fall. The Class of 2019 is filled with so many wonderful, high-achieving scholars who have made us all very proud by their many accomplishments – whether academic, athletic, extracurricular or community-service oriented in nature. What makes me even more proud of our graduates is the high caliber of character they have demonstrated throughout their career in Garden City. This group has been accepted to and will be attending a wide variety of prestigious universities and colleges. You can refer to the inside of this newsletter to learn more about where members of the Class of 2019 will be attending. As the summer winds down, please be assured that much work is being done so that we can continue to provide the best learning opportunities for our students and ensure another successful school year. I look forward to seeing you all very soon. Sincerely, Kusum Kusum Sinha, Ed.D. Garden City High School’s 85th graduating class proudly marched out to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” and the applause of proud family, friends, faculty and school leaders to kick off the 2019 commencement ceremony at Warren King Field. High School Principal and keynote speaker Nanine McLaughlin presided over her final ceremony before moving into her new position as the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development. Co-valedictorians Cassidy Go and Elsie Schaubeck and salutatorian Aidan Padala each gave inspiring addresses of reflection on their years in the district and confidence in their classmates for the years ahead. Class President Aidan Pfaff and Vice President Isabella Herrera introduced the graduation candidates. One by one, each stepped up to receive their diplomas and congratulations from Board of Education members, who wore smiles of gratitude for this class of high achievers and solid citizens that is moving on to make a positive difference in the world. Garden City Public Schools Summer 2019, Vol. 20, No. 4 O n T h e L i n e Celebrating THE CLASS OF 2019
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
Dear Community Members,
I hope you are all having a wonderful summer! Welcome to the latest edition of On the Line. In keeping with tradition, we dedicate this to our graduating class. On behalf of the Board of Education, the entire administration, and faculty, congratulations to the Garden City High School Class of 2019, as well as our students who are moving up to new schools this fall.
The Class of 2019 is filled with so many wonderful, high-achieving scholars who have made us all very proud by their many accomplishments – whether academic, athletic, extracurricular or community-service oriented in nature. What makes me even more proud of our graduates is the high caliber of character they have demonstrated throughout their career in Garden City.
This group has been accepted to and will be attending a wide variety of prestigious universities and colleges. You can refer to the inside of this newsletter to learn more about where members of the Class of 2019 will be attending.
As the summer winds down, please be assured that much work is being done so that we can continue to provide the best learning opportunities for our students and ensure another successful school year. I look forward to seeing you all very soon. Sincerely,
Kusum
Kusum Sinha, Ed.D.
Garden City High School’s 85th graduating class proudly marched out to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” and the applause of proud family, friends, faculty and school leaders to kick off the 2019 commencement ceremony at Warren King Field.
High School Principal and keynote speaker Nanine McLaughlin presided over her final ceremony before moving into her new position as the district’s assistant superintendent for human resources and leadership development. Co-valedictorians Cassidy Go and Elsie Schaubeck
and salutatorian Aidan Padala each gave inspiring addresses of reflection on their years in the district and confidence in their classmates for the years ahead.
Class President Aidan Pfaff and Vice President Isabella Herrera introduced the graduation candidates. One by one, each stepped up to receive their diplomas and congratulations from Board of Education members, who wore smiles of gratitude for this class of high achievers and solid citizens that is moving on to make a positive difference in the world.
Garden City Public Schools Summer 2019, Vol. 20, No. 4On The Line
Celebrating the Class of 2019
“I would like to first start off by saying thank you to the school administration, Dr. Sinha, Ms. McLaughlin, Mr. Steingruebner, Mr. Perrotta and my guidance counselor, Ms. Whiston as well as all the teachers and staff who have made Garden City High School so memorable and who are always there for their students. I would also like to thank my parents, my sisters, my relatives and my friends for being there for me all these years.
“Six years ago, I was here for my sister’s graduation, and then two years prior, I was here for my other sister’s graduation. That
was almost eight years ago! Eight years ago, my biggest concern was most likely, when is lunch?
“I cannot help but wonder where those eight years have gone. Times were much simpler back then. One thing I have learned is that growing up is tough, so we should savor the time we get to spend together. We have had the extraordinary opportunity to explore a wide range of fields and hobbies at this school. Over the course of four years, I have gotten to know talented people not just in academics, but also in the arts,
“I never in my wildest dreams imagined that I would be standing here, and I am so honored to be with all of you on this wonderful day. However, I didn’t get here on my own. I’d like to thank the administration, my guidance counselor, Ms. Khan, my teachers, my fellow students, my family, my sisters, and, most importantly, my mothers, Beth and Margaret, for providing me the resources, support and experiences that have molded me into the person I am today. I know that sounds cliché, but it’s the truth. When we were younger, a lot of the decisions in our lives were made for us– which elementary school we went to (shout out to Stratford), what activities we participated in, and even what we wore. As we grew older, we, for the most part, gained more independence and responsibility. We all chose to go to the
high school, rather than a private school; we chose for the most part the classes we took; and we chose to take the next, and often scary, step onward from high school. But now it is truly our turn to make decisions, as well as to further grow and develop our individual characters.
“However, luck and chance often play a role in our lives, as well. Who knows what my fate would have been had I remained in China. But I am sure the opportunities I have had in America, and certainly in Garden City, are abundantly greater. Ironically, my family knew the Go family before I was adopted. And here I am today standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Cassidy Go, my co-valedictorian. We are all so lucky to have grown up in Garden City, to have lived in a district with such a great public
athletics and music. We got here to graduation through hard work, patience and lots of determination. What is important is that we continue these habits. We are all off to start a new adventure. We will certainly face new challenges. We will learn, cry, make mistakes, love, and maybe even change our perspective on the world. However, what will be constant will be the qualities that shaped us from our experiences in this
high school. These defining qualities will guide us to make decisions in our lives that will allow us to do what we love.
“Class of 2019, through laughter and tears, we have gotten through it all, and I know we are ready to move on to greater things. The future is bright, and I don’t know about you, but I am excited to see what is in store for us. Congratulations, Class of 2019! See you later!”
school system, and to have had teachers, counselors, and administrators who have cared for and supported us for so many years.
“We all live in what we call the ‘Garden City bubble.’ However, as we leave Garden City High School behind and enter whole new environments as young adults, we step out of our comfort zones. It is time for us to take risks, challenge ourselves and make new memories. It’s OK to not know what you’re doing, it’s OK to make mistakes as long as you can bounce back and fall forward. Our lives are like a game of Jenga. Sometimes we play it safe by removing that middle piece towards the top. But sometimes we need to be daring enough to take out that piece on the side and to risk the tower falling down in order to progress. The difference between playing it safe and taking chances is simply making a decision. It may not be an easy one, but it rests solely on our willingness to accept the possibility of failure and to learn from our experiences. And if the tower does happen to collapse, it’s our responsibility
alone to make the choice to build it back up again. “When I look out at all of you, I see so much potential. I see
doctors and nurses, lawyers and athletes, artists and musicians, writers and engineers, and so many strong individuals who will carve their own paths. But mostly I see our future. For all I know, someone out here might be the one to cure cancer. But think of the endless opportunities open to us when we take full advantage of our strengths and our minds. Whether traveling the world or staying close to home, we can always make a difference. Some of us may save lives in the medical field or make scientific advances through research. Some may write books or music or create magnificent pieces of art. But all of us will make new memories, have new experiences, and form new friendships. As we go off on our own journeys, I dare you all to do something new, do something different, but mostly do something that you love and that matters to you. We are always learning and growing from our experiences, so let’s go out into the world with an open mind and an open heart. Thank you.”