Meet the Smithtown H.S. West, graduating class of 2016. On Wednesday, June 22, 2016, the 427 seniors at Smithtown West, celebrated the end of one chapter in their lives, while welcoming the next, during the 101st commencement exercise on the football field.
The ceremony opened with the jazz choir performing “The Star-Spangled Banner,”followed by an opening statement from Jennifer Bradshaw, the Smithtown Central School District Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Administration. “There are few times in life that hundreds of people come together to celebrate your accomplishments the way they have today… The joy and pride out on this field are the results of years of hard work. This audience is filled with throngs of supporting families, friends and school personnel.” – Jennifer Bradshaw, the Smithtown Central School District Assistant Superintendent for Instruction and Administration
In lieu of a valedictorian and salutatorian, Alexander Lusak was selected by his peers as Honor speaker. Lusak offered his insight on how to thrive in the upcoming years. “We will be exposed to a ton of new ideas, new cultures, new viewpoints and new connections… If we work as hard as we did during the past four years going forward, I have no doubt that we will all be featured for doing something amazing – we will impact this world.” – Alexander Lusak, Smithtown H.S. West Honor Speaker
John Coady, Smithtown H. S. West Principal presented the Class of 2016 first as a whole and then called each student up on stage for the presentation of diplomas. The senior concert choir and the jazz choir performed “The Sweetest Day” as a special tribute to both parents and graduates, alike.