Saugerties High School (SHS) held its 128th annual commencement ceremony on Friday, June 28 on the football field. The class of 2024 had 156 graduating seniors. The ceremony also honored four students who graduated in August 2023 and four students who earned their GEDs.
The sunny afternoon celebration was not dimmed by heat as a breeze swept the field and the packed football stands, cooling the families and friends who were witnessing their loved ones’ graduation. The high school students processed onto the field to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance, played by the Saugerties senior high band directed by Michael Cho.
Superintendent of schools Dr. Daniel Erceg gave the welcome address for commencement, offering advice to the class of 2024 such as “don’t be too hard on yourself” and “never give up,” congratulating the class on making it this far. His junior superintendent, Gavin Brady, also had some important advice to give: don’t forget to call your mom!
Class president Cameron Sousa then gave his address, thanking his class and the SHS staff for the four years they’d spent together. Sousa emphasized the resilience of his class throughout high school. “Our football team won a playoff game for the first time in 30 years,” said Sousa. “Our girls’ flag football team won the section championship. Our basketball team became section champs and competed in the state quarterfinals.” He ended the speech by encouraging his classmates to persevere in order to achieve their goals and congratulated them all.
The Saugerties senior high band and choir members performed a beautiful rendition of “An Irish Blessing” before salutatorian Michele Loebbaka took the stage. She focused on appreciating those who supported her and her peers on their path to graduation, attributing some of their success to the support and influence of teachers, family and each other. “There is no point in being sad at the end of something,” said Loebbaka. “It is just the start of something else.”
Valedictorian Sahil Sekhon thanked his peers, teachers, school administration and family. He spoke of the activities which grounded him in a world which moves very quickly and has exponential possibilities to explore. “The years we’ve spent in school will provide us with a foundation so we can venture out into the limitless world,” said Sekhon. “The idea of a limitless world with limitless forces and decisions for me to make would have scared me only a couple of years ago. However, today I find myself excited about the idea.” His grounding activity was tennis, which taught him the value of hard work and deep learning as he grew up. This has prepared him to move into the vast, fast-paced world that opens up after graduation. Sekhon ended his speech with a reminder of the same refrain heard every day on the morning announcements: “Have a great day, and make it a great day for someone else.”
Principal Thomas Martelli emphasized how much he would miss the Saugerties Class of 2024, from their early morning antics decorating the gym for a senior prank to their failed water balloon extravaganza. He then relayed pieces of important advice, including “do not let the opinions and judgments of others stop you from doing what you feel in your heart is right for you.”
Finally, diplomas were awarded to all graduates by Martelli and Sousa, followed by a performance of “Alma Mater” from the band and choir. As caps were tossed in the air and hugs were exchanged, the Saugerties Class of 2024 knew that they had done it. On a beautiful summer afternoon, with the weekend just in sight, 156 students who entered the field as seniors would be exiting as graduates!
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