[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6154792,"mediaKeyId","5483255-e428f4c1d46c7eb6b8eaebfe04ebbc8c","parentId",5483255,"title","Graduation speeches urge courage, kindness and ‘make the world more interesting’","audioSeconds",206,"startMs",863920,"endMs",1070540,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5483255-e428f4c1d46c7eb6b8eaebfe04ebbc8c&start=863&end=1070","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5483255-e428f4c1d46c7eb6b8eaebfe04ebbc8c/thumbnail_863920.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6154792/New-York/Graduation-speeches-urge-courage-kindness-and-make-the-world-more-interesting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154792-1e9f14bf1c93a912ea4e4f1abac8f29e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155247&Signature=kMwy6uejTIIs4A7S0opbBPih3kOG19IdghWvvE0-4uCijtN83uApJjMmIyZNoY8SUKcOugrKrMOVkr6ZDICsYFTl1o2o0Tp5t8jMuKRPHYYuYVnP0GGeW4QLtwjwRFyPappCy-QN~r6KCHYDuNWF2SGHHnhFYKM143rOq1GIJvD1xAHDzfuqyiZt7c~lUb5~I1mD7hIZwAsqr08SVIhqvmCjLQhGO9QYIhWm~GxYcchGq3oEBr4hUIA4cV2KvmnH-nGVPQnjx-36aaDYhY5Pl~CD9P2hjGRKhfQbpW0zAk9apF0IEF6BPraWSI631CMAGIR8ngNxQ4WqrYP6O8zNfQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-25T22:00:06Z","article","Speakers at Hapag High School’s graduation emphasized a mix of practical advice and reflection: take risks, value relationships, and measure success by character rather than scores. Principal Joe Wykhorst, salutatorian Ayan Shah, valedictorian Sarah Conquette and distinguished alumnus Tom Druckenmiller each addressed the class with those themes.

Why it matters: Graduation addresses are a public statement of the school’s values and the messages students will carry forward. Several speakers urged graduates to accept change, to work hard, and to be kind and present with others.

Details and notable quotes: Principal Joe Wykhorst told graduates he was proud of the class he has seen since their freshman year and advised, “never stop taking advice.” Salutatorian Ayan Shah said that success begins with effort and “with the proper work ethic, searching for improvement, and embracing change, we can achieve so much.” Valedictorian Sarah Conquette framed success as character and relationships, saying, “you are more and have always been more than just a list of grades or accomplishments.” Distinguished alumnus and longtime teacher Tom Druckenmiller urged graduates to “work hard,” “be nice,” “listen,” and “develop and nurture relationships.”

Context: Remarks included staff acknowledgements, board recognition and customary ceremonial elements. The speeches were delivered as part of the formal program; the transcript records them verbatim but does not record policy decisions or administrative actions arising from the remarks.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hauppauge High School Official 2025 Commencement Ceremony","oneSentenceSummary","Principal, student speakers and a distinguished alumnus delivered remarks focused on courage, work ethic, kindness and relationships at Hapag High School’s 2025 graduation ceremony.","taxTitle","HAUPPAUGE UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York","taxId",49397,"location","New York","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6154796,"Several Hapag graduates recognized for committing to military service",48,1472090,1520810,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5483255-e428f4c1d46c7eb6b8eaebfe04ebbc8c&start=1472&end=1520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5483255-e428f4c1d46c7eb6b8eaebfe04ebbc8c/thumbnail_1472090.jpg","/articles/6154796/New-York/Several-Hapag-graduates-recognized-for-committing-to-military-service","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154796-5bac4d098ccad4e3b34100c8de520ad0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155247&Signature=TEBaj~VczgToQ3JgEZ9OjBAqmLrfymrKBTTRhoJvV2GfhEwPhxL--6hKwikzwcOjHx~NSvm7EJa4jNhh7IJXwhEA~wZ9MrEFXWBI7hDs0dkik-qxJBwbpk2GUVXOOKTVvQ8UEIvLF9ivRje62OgsA5sp2nAYpkdK6cnIC8Ib8f~O2lmgNYZ~JrGE1vc8FQKBqhkThEa1lMkkFVTNHaSlTVMV8caxFs~-vL~mkq5XhDfj4oWq-8gap3FtjNuWiBmCuTZ-G1jBWIZGmcrMKO4ByCjcoA93k~s6HrnsVCFS3dP5txCX1LMVfLzU2hvIbLVNc06bibwUtaqR~GPIdPXidg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hapag High School officials recognized members of the class of 2025 who have committed to military service during the graduation ceremony. Superintendent Don Murphy and Board of Education President David Barsha read the names and service commitments on stage.

The students recognized and the commitments announced in the ceremony transcript include Gabriel Diaz (Air National Guard), Brandon Dolce (Army ROTC at the University of South Carolina), Naeem Gillespie (U.S. Army), Matthew Michania (Army ROTC at SUNY Farmingdale), Connor Sheridan (United States Naval Academy Preparatory School), Brady Wald (Army ROTC at the University of Tennessee) and Reagan Henselder (United States Air Force Academy). The transcript also notes one student already began serving.

Why it matters: Public recognition highlights students entering military service and informs the community which graduates have chosen service paths. The acknowledgments were ceremonial; the transcript does not record enlistment paperwork or district obligations related to these commitments.

Details: School leaders asked the identified students to stand during the ceremony and thanked military members, veterans and first responders in the audience. No district action, benefit, or scholarship tied to these commitments is recorded in the transcript.","During the ceremony, Superintendent Don Murphy and Board President David Barsha named students who have committed to or enlisted in U.S. military service or ROTC programs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6154801,"Class of 2025 donates field-day equipment and money for students in need",58,792860,851060,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5483255-e428f4c1d46c7eb6b8eaebfe04ebbc8c&start=792&end=851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5483255-e428f4c1d46c7eb6b8eaebfe04ebbc8c/thumbnail_792860.jpg","/articles/6154801/New-York/Class-of-2025-donates-field-day-equipment-and-money-for-students-in-need","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6154801-3fc3ed184973006f0b6f57894335107c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771155247&Signature=DEKdwtDgMdzdO93jEs3fLSLoYMgvzEgzFS~DcPa5Xp41O8YBIfgzPCd0fji0jVVCSFtcgYPwHYPRcsw~E-t9VHbixvJKivz06qGicO52FSNvvNnLVg~rjF7ZAp9Sz1QFhAHPBfvcP2313zDu024Hte8icMFaVyj0Z7G~Gj3B21xgfi85BE-kVKMMjK0FnvSmdxNgzrBHP~zLO1Rvkgww46k75Ed7GaokZ7vTvi62XbZPxgYQvrpwatRrASttuL9RXUdblD66JsNfdpupl6eScGPXjBCaqHnGKH4Fbtvblew-sC8~oMkBtNM5PhT2yUbHOgwuBAIcgpdRDrNgdTL40g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hapag High School seniors announced during the school’s Feb. 2025 graduation ceremony that the class of 2025 will donate new equipment for Senior Field Day and make a monetary donation to help students in need. The announcement was made by senior class officers Caitlin Weinstein, Haley Wilcox, Nicole Esposito and Emily Prisgan and acknowledged on stage by Principal Joe Wykhorst.

Why it matters: The gift is intended to sustain a school tradition and to lessen barriers for students who otherwise could not participate in activities. The officers said the equipment is “brand new” and that the monetary donation is “to help students in need,” but the amount and mechanism for distributing the funds were not specified during the ceremony.

Details: The class officers said their donation is intended to enable future seniors to “continue to make joyful memories” at Senior Field Day and to assist classmates who “may have quietly struggled.” Principal Joe Wykhorst thanked the class for the contribution and said the “financial contribution will help so many students who need it and the equipment will absolutely create a lot of fun for years to come.”

Context and next steps: The announcement came during the student remarks portion of the ceremony and was presented as a class initiative rather than a formal district action. The ceremony transcript does not record a formal acceptance vote by the Board of Education or a staff description of how the funds will be administered. School staff or district offices may need to document acceptance and establish distribution procedures for the monetary gift.","Senior class officers announced a gift of new equipment for Senior Field Day and an unspecified monetary donation to help students in need, which school leaders acknowledged during the Feb. 2025 graduation ceremony.","actionData","errors"]

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Graduation speeches urge courage, kindness and ‘make the world more interesting’

Several Hapag graduates recognized for committing to military service

Class of 2025 donates field-day equipment and money for students in need