Suffolk's Class Of 2024 Valedictorians Honored By SCSSA

BAYPORT-BLUE POINT, NY —The Suffolk County School Superintendents Association (SCSSA) hosted the 30th annual Valedictorians Luncheon at Villa Lombardi in Holbrook on May 30.

The SCSSA tradition honored the accomplishments of Suffolk County’s highest-achieving graduates from the Class of 2024 and was attended by school district superintendents, high school principals, valedictorians and their parents.

As guests arrived, they were entertained by the Bayport-Blue Point High School Jazz Ensemble. At the start of the program, Bayport-Blue Point High School vocalists Ali Vlachos and Kate Anglim sang the national anthem. After a warm welcome by SCSSA President- Elect Dr. Harold Dean, SCSSA President Dr. Timothy Hearney noted that leadership begins with one’s mindset. He advised the graduates to reflect on what matters and to find their way to find purpose and meaning in what they choose to do in life.

Hearney also said, “Leadership is about finding joy,” and to “work hard to find joy in what you do.”

Guest speaker Matthew Cohen, president and chief executive officer of the Long Island Association, defined the group of valedictorians as “people who are going to think out of the box to find solutions.”

He spoke from the heart with the following advice: “Take advantage of all the opportunities offered to you,” and “Stick with things, no matter how hard.”

The valedictorians were then called to the stage, accompanied by their school district superintendent and high school principal, to receive a certificate of recognition, the book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seus and a journal from SCOPE.

During his closing remarks, Dr. Harold Dean congratulated the valedictorians on their outstanding accomplishments and wished them continued success in all their future endeavors.