Years of hard work, perseverance and growth culminated on June 26 as the 201-member Rocky Point High School Class of 2026 gathered for one last time on the main stadium athletic field to celebrate the district’s graduation ceremony. Proud family members, friends and Rocky Point staff filled the stands and members of the high school band performed the processional Pomp & Circumstance to signify the start of the milestone event.

Following a performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” sung by senior Olivia Carley, class exhortation speaker Ava Jimenez addressed the crowd. Ava, ranked third in the class, noted the significance of the day and how it marked a time to celebrate past accomplishments while looking forward to the future. In quoting Dr. Seuss, she reminded her peers that sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory. 

“Never forget the experiences that shaped who you are,” she said. “I challenge you to never shy away from something new, to take every risk and opportunity, because you never know who you will meet along the way.” 

“After 13 years of being Rocky Point Eagles, you have attained a tremendous accomplishment as you prepared to spread your wings and set flight to future adventures,” said High School Principal James Moeller. He went on to remind the class that Rocky Point has prepared them for what is to come by helping to instill four important skillsets over time: the ability to take initiative, to be courageous, to demonstrate resilience, and the ability to see the good in life. 

Referencing a quote one senior included in the high school yearbook, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Scott O’Brien focused on that quote’s eight words: seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, decades” and how they perfectly capture what graduation feels like. 

“Tonight you stand at the intersection of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years. And those small moments that brought you here and the small moments that follow this night will shape the rest of your life,” he said. “Tonight is not the end of your story; it’s the moment when you begin to write the next chapter.”  

With strong themes about the importance of friendship and the changes that await them in their futures, salutatorian Peter Lee reminded his peers that “no one wants to change how they’ve interacted with the friends that they have right now…. {but} the future is what we make of it and in many ways, you might be pleasantly surprised with what might end up happening.”

“High school wasn’t just about learning academically, but also about learning about ourselves,” said valedictorian Valentina Bruno. “What made our experiences special, wasn’t the same for everyone. It is my hope for all of you that as we enter into our different futures that you continue to pursue your unique story and what makes you happy, no matter where your path is taking you.”

As each graduate was called to the dais to receive their diplomas, the crowd filled the summer air with cheers and applause. Upon the certification from Board of Education President Jessica Ward, the students turned their tassels and tossed their graduation caps high into the air – signifying the start of their new journey as Rocky Point alumni.