Nassau Superintendents Honor The County's Vals And Sals

WOODBURY, NY — The Nassau County Council of School Superintendents honored 120 seniors from 44 public high schools for their outstanding academic achievements during its annual Celebrating Excellence Breakfast at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

High school valedictorians, salutatorians and honor students were joined at the breakfast by their superintendents, principals and family members. The national anthem and a rendition of “Forever Young” by Rod Stewart were performed by the Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School singing group Vibe under the direction of Adam Paltrowitz.

Dr. Tonie McDonald, superintendent of Levittown Public Schools and president of NCCSS, urged students to always remember the struggles they have overcome, while also keeping fond memories of their most positive moments.

Keynote speaker Edwin Darden, a senior program officer for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, shared appreciation for the experiences that have helped him grow and encouraged students to also search for that appreciation.

As the superintendents who serve on the Celebrating Excellence Committee announced the names of each valedictorian and salutatorian along with their college plans, each received a plaque to commemorate their achievement.