SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. — Graduates of the East Ramapo Central School District summer school program were formally certified as meeting New York State high school graduation requirements and had diplomas conferred during a commencement ceremony where district leaders, board members and school principals addressed families and students.

The event recognized students who completed summer coursework and met state requirements for a diploma. In a certification step on stage, the summer school principal announced that students had met the district and State Education Department requirements; the board’s vice president presented the class and interim superintendent Anna Verusco accepted and conferred the diplomas.

Why it matters: The ceremony marked completion of mandated academic requirements and the district’s formal acknowledgment that these students satisfied New York State standards for a high school diploma. For students who attended summer sessions to complete credits, the conferral is the culminating administrative step that transitions them to graduates.

District and school leaders used the ceremony to recognize students’ perseverance and to deliver remarks focused on resilience and next steps. Summer school principal Ms. Mazariego told graduates, “Follow your dreams and do it unapologetically. Fight for what you deserve,” and urged them to keep moving forward. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Gonzales noted the broader context for students’ achievements, saying “ZIP codes should not determine success,” and praising the students’ determination.

Trustee Sherry McGill, vice president of the Board of Education, congratulated the class and thanked staff who supported the summer program. Interim Superintendent Anna Verusco, speaking as the district’s commissioned officer through the State Education Department, formally accepted the graduating class: “Congratulations, class of 2025.”

The ceremony followed customary graduation protocols: a performance of the national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” remarks from administrators, the principal’s certification that students met district and state requirements, the board vice president’s presentation of the class, and the interim superintendent’s conferral of diplomas. Students were instructed to move their tassels from the right to the left to mark the conferring of diplomas.

No board vote or policy action was recorded in the transcript; the conferral proceeded as a ceremonial and administrative acknowledgment that requirements were met. The event included named recognitions for summer school staff and school leaders who supported students through summer sessions.

The graduation covered students from district schools including Spring Valley High School; the program recognized students who completed summer coursework and satisfied New York State requirements. The transcript does not specify the total number of graduates or the exact date of the ceremony beyond references to the class of 2025 and graduates of August 2025.

The ceremony closed with conventional congratulations and the district’s encouragement for graduates to pursue college, careers, or other post–high school pathways.