Walt Whitman High School’s Class of 2025 celebrated their accomplishments and looked toward the future at the 95th Commencement ceremony.  Diplomas were awarded to 492 graduates on Friday evening, June 27th, on Whitman’s athletic field.  Emceed by Assistant Principal Jonathan Varlamos, the honored students, their family members, and guests heard from Walt Whitman principal Dr. John Murphy, Board of Education President Nicholas Ciappetta, District Superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia, Valedictorian Sienna Leaver and Salutatorian Erin Conlon, among others.

The graduation ceremony wrapped up the South Huntington School District’s year-long 100th anniversary celebration.  Walt Whitman principal Dr. John Murphy looked back at historic changes in the last century to remind the graduates about the seemingly limitless possibilities their futures may hold as advancements in technology quickly develop.  “Over these 100 years America has seen the introduction of the car and airplane into American society, the ability to communicate across vast areas of space and across continents, the evolution of music, the ability to leave our own world in the hopes of finding another.  We have broken gender barriers, race barriers and have now ushered in a new era where artificial intelligence and machinery work in tandem with human beings…The driving theme of these last 100 years can be summed up in one word: change, and change does not occur without the willingness to question and be curious to possibilities of what can be,” said Dr. Murphy.

In her graduation address, valedictorian Sienna Leaver said her initial thoughts when starting ninth-grade were that high school would transform her into “someone completely different.”  But happily came to learn that new beginnings do not erase the past.  “Who we've become here matters. It won't define us forever. It's just the foundation. But that's a good thing. You can build anything on a strong foundation. With careful attention, Whitman has fundamentally shaped us into the people we are today. Within these walls, we've laughed, stumbled, grown up, and grown into ourselves,” said Leaver.

Superintendent Dr. Vito D’Elia also noted how Whitman has shaped the graduates, “not only through academic success, but also the friendships, the late night study sessions, the early morning practices, the performances, and all the quiet moments in between that shaped who you've become.”  He continued, “Graduates, throughout your time at Walt Whitman, you've been described in many ways. Passionate, determined, collaborative. But one quality that has stood out time and time again is your resilience. Resilience is about perseverance, about adapting when things get difficult and finding the strength to push forward. Whether it was in the classroom, on the field, on the stage, or in your personal growth, you showed what it means to rise to the occasion. You've built a legacy through your leadership, creativity, and commitment.” 

After all the heartfelt praise, words of empowerment, and reminders about their potential, Senior Class President Sara Duffy led her peers in the ceremonial “switching of the tassel,” followed by graduation caps being tossed high into the air. 

Duffy also presented the Class of 2025’s gift to the school - a plaque that will mark the location of the 100th anniversary time capsule on the Walt Whitman High School campus. The stainless steel time capsule was lowered into a specially-constructed vault at the athletic complex in a special ceremony on May 4th.

Congratulations to the Class of 2025!  

Please enjoy this short video capturing some of the highlights and memories from the ceremony: Graduation Video Link

See more photos from the 2025 graduation ceremony here.

Please click here to watch the Class of 2025 Commencement ceremony.

Graduating seniors lined up in preparation for crossing the commencement stage.

“With careful attention, Whitman has fundamentally shaped us into the people we are today. Within these walls, we've laughed, stumbled, grown up, and grown into ourselves,” said Class of 2025 valedictorian, Sienna Leaver.

Walt Whitman’s 2025 salutatorian, Erin Conlon, shared an array of advice to her graduating peers and guests in attendance

Board of Education president Nicholas Ciappetta, congratulated the new graduates with diplomas in hand.

Proud graduates looked out to the crowd with gratitude.