Hicksville Class Of 2020 Graduates With Virtual Ceremony

HICKSVILLE, NY — The Hicksville High School Class of 2020 graduated with a virtual commencement ceremony and safe in-person celebrations over the weekend amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The district streamed the commencement ceremony online Saturday morning. The ceremony began with a performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by senior Jessie Kash, and included addresses by Principal Ray Williams, Superintendent of Schools Marianne Litzman, valedictorian Sejal Gupta, salutatorian Alaha Nasari and board of education members Kevin Carroll and Carla Hoene, who are both parents of graduating seniors.

"We may not get to walk across a stage or experience all of the milestones of being seniors, but our accomplishments are still cause for celebration," Nasari said.

Nasari also acknowledged the great diversity and accomplishments of the class and thanked the entire faculty and staff for their support through the years.

After each graduate was honored, the principal officially declared the Class of 2020 graduates.

Later in the day, every member of the Class of 2020 was invited to drive to campus to safely receive their diploma holders and personal congratulations from Carroll, Board of Education President Phil Heckler, Hoene, Litzman, Williams and others.

As a special reflection of the graduates' time in the district, replica models of each elementary school, Hicksville Middle School and Hicksville High School — models that were created by National Honor Society members, student volunteers, alumni and faculty under the direction of teacher and advisor Catherine Temps — were on display as the members of the Class of 2020 drove through the high school grounds.