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Despite the challenging second half of their senior year, the graduating classes of East Meadow and W.T. Clarke high schools gathered to celebrate their accomplishments during multiple in-person graduation ceremonies.

W.T. Clarke held its commencements on July 24 and 25, while East Meadow held ceremonies throughout the day on July 26. All of the events took place on the schools’ respective football fields. At each ceremony, members of the Class of 2020 were proudly accompanied by a maximum of two parents, friends and other special guests to ensure proper social distancing and in accordance with Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Executive Order stating ceremonies be attended by no more than 150 persons. Also in attendance were members of the board of education, central office administrators and each high schools’ building administrators.

The ceremonies started with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by recorded renditions of the national anthem by the W.T. Clarke High School Senior Chorus and the East Meadow High School Senior Chorale. Next, each school’s valedictorian, salutatorian and class president reflected on their time in the East Meadow School District, specifically noting the challenges they had faced this year.

“We have learned from each other, working together we can achieve our goals,” said W.T. Clarke salutatorian Arjun Panickssery. “Whatever the future holds, I think we will be ready.”

“Be patient and persistent, for success and change rarely occur overnight, and we all worked so hard to get here,” said East Meadow High School valedictorian Ikshu Pandey.

Principals Timothy Voels and Richard Howard of W.T. Clarke and East Meadow, respectively, commended the Class of 2020 for their resilience and persistent excellence in academics, the arts, athletics and their community. Both principals highlighted the impressive accomplishments of the senior class despite the hardships they had faced during the last few months.

Following each address, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth A. Card Jr., along with Board of Education President Matthew Melnick and Vice President Alisa Baroukh, presented the graduates with their diplomas. Since the senior award ceremonies were held virtually this year, recipients received their awards from this event in addition to their diplomas.

The district congratulates the Class of 2020 on their accomplishments, wishes them luck for the future and commends each graduate for their perseverance during these unprecedented times.