Class of 2021 Commencement

timeless traditions made new

Anticipation was in the air at John Jay’s graduation—no one knew exactly how commencement at a baseball stadium would happen. Yet John Jay showed that its traditions of music, speeches and processions transcended any specific location and that the most important part of graduation is being together.

The outfield of Palisades Credit Union Park was transformed into a spacious ceremonial site. More than two hundred and fifty white chairs set in crisp formation at the top of the diamond faced a waiting stage hung with a John Jay banner. Approximately 1,000 guests looked down from seats behind home plate and along the first and third base lines—with many more at home, watching the live screened event—and wondered what would happen next.

celebrating in person and at home

The first notes of “City of Stars” from the movie “La La Land” wafted across the stadium, drawing attention to the jumbotron streaming the JJ Orchestra, then the Rollingtones and the Treblemakers.

Virtual turned multi-dimensional as a purple and white parade of graduates processed into the stadium to “Pomp and Circumstance,” their smiles flashing simultaneously on the big screen.

The Class of 2021’s commencement had begun in a novel way—a fitting capstone to a senior year unlike any other.

Enjoy the video recording

the sweetness of being together

As Jonathan noted the sweetness of being fully together with loved ones, he captured the central emotion of the afternoon.

Parents and teachers described the Class of 2021 graduation as wonderful and memorable ceremony. Students also enjoyed the setup in which they faced and could easily hear the speakers at the podium.

“A new, prosperous season is ready to be born,” said Principal Siciliano said to the graduates. “Seize it, enjoy it. You have earned it. Congratulations!”

 

COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM

Prelude – JJ Orchestra, The Rollingtones & The Treblemakers

The National Anthem - Oona Campisi

Processional - "Pomp and Circumstance"

Welcome and Opening Remarks - Steven T. Siciliano, Ed.D.

Salutatory Address - Remington Sandell

Valedictory Address - Johnathan Frantz

Keynote Address - Chandler Lewis, Faculty Guest Speaker

Senior Class Address - Casey Richman

Presentation, Class of 2021 - Steven T. Siciliano, Ed.D.

Acceptance, Class of 2021 - Andrew Selesnick. Superintendent of Schools

Presentation of Graduates - Steven T. Siciliano, Ed.D.

Tassel Flip - Joseph Tang, Bennett Tropiano and Scott Weinstein, Class of 2021 Officers

Board of Education

Marjorie Schiff, President
Julia Hadlock, Vice President
Rory Burke, Terrence Cheng, Elizabeth Gereghty, Catherine Oestreicher and Dr. William Rifkin,
Board Trustees
Sawyer Reed, Student Board Trustee

District Administration

Andrew Selesnick, Superintendent of Schools
Danelle Placella, Assistant Superintendent for Business
Dr. Mary Ford, Assistant Superintendent for Instruction
Alice Cronin, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources
Lisa Herlihy, School Business Administrator

High School Adminstration

Steven T. Siciliano, Ed.D., Principal
Vincent T. Bell, Samir Biswas, Ph.D. and Kim Piccolino, Assistant Principals
Christian J. McCarthy, Director of Health, Physical Education, Athletics and Wellness
Marisa Merlino, Director of Counseling

Advisors & Student Officers

Thomas Rizzotti and Steven Zoeller, Co-Advisors to the Class of 2021
Lucas Colleluori, Donald Engelhardt, Kaitlyn Machado, Paul Newcomb, Arcadia Ohnemus, Zoe Ozols, Joelle Sacks, Remington Sandell, Maya Schwartz, Joseph Tang, Bennett Tropiano, Scott Weinstein, Senior Class Officers