Harrison Community Celebrates Graduates!
Dear Harrison Families,
Our week of graduation and moving up ceremonies culminated on June 23rd with the High School Commencement at the Performing Arts Center at SUNY Purchase, celebrating the Class of 2023. LMK 8th graders were recognized at Moving Up, and 5th graders at Harrison Avenue Elementary School, Parsons Elementary School, Preston Elementary School, and Purchase Elementary School were celebrated at ceremonies.
Each ceremony was a joyful reflection and honored the accomplishments of our students. A live stream and photographs of each ceremony are available on the District’s Graduation 2023 webpage.
Please join us in celebrating all that our students have achieved. I wish you a wonderful and restful summer and hope to see our students in some of our many summer opportunities. As always, thank you for your ongoing support of our students; you truly make a difference.
Sincerely,
Louis N. Wool, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
HHS Commencement Ceremony Honors Class of 2023
The Harrison High School Commencement ceremony, held at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center on Friday, June 23, celebrated the extraordinary students of the Class of 2023. The graduates’ ability to see the power and possibilities in others, embrace individuality, and celebrate the joy of each day were themes from all who addressed the family, friends, District administrators, faculty, staff, and members of the Board of Education.
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Louis Wool, shared stories of how the graduates “impacted others and demonstrated values that distinguished them beyond academics,” although their academic performance places them among the top graduating classes. He described them as “never being defined by anyone else’s expectations of who they should be” and embracing the “common humanity in the differences of others.” Dr. Wool thanked them for the gifts and joy they shared while students in our schools. His final message to the Class of 2023… “No day is ordinary; every person you encounter should be seen, valued, and cared for…in a divided world, perhaps your purpose is not to choose sides but to lift each other up”.
Principal Kimberly Beukema congratulated graduates and acknowledged those in our schools and community who made this “milestone moment” possible, highlighting the extraordinary work of faculty and staff from kindergarten through 12th grade. She described how the Class of 2023 positively impacted the culture at Harrison High School by “seeing, hearing, and valuing each other” and understanding “even small experiences hold profound meaning.”
After a performance of the Fleetwood Mac classic “Landslide,” arranged by senior Jack Eiff and sung by senior members of the chorus, three graduates addressed their classmates - Senior Class President Kyangchat Kapio, teacher-selected speaker Logan Neal, and student-selected speaker Kiran Iftikhar. The students’ messages powerfully reflected the character of their class. Kyangchat described leadership as including the qualities of servants and kings, “In our hearts, we all have the ability to lead and contribute, but to never lose sight of your value or purpose.” Logan reminded graduates that it is ok to “stray from your original plan and take risks, make mistakes, or change your mind” and challenged them to “go out there, live, and make bold choices.” Kiran shared the transformative power of self-discovery, encouraging them “embrace authenticity and individuality, defy expectations, and forge your own path based on the unique impact we have on each other and the joy we bring to the lives we touch.”
Board of Education Trustee Dennis DiLorenzo reflected on the Board’s commitment to opportunities for all students and ensuring the District’s core values are a “lived experience in our schools.”
Congratulations and best wishes to the Class of 2023
Moving Up Ceremonies Celebrate Students’ Journey to LMK and HHS
The District hosted Moving Up ceremonies for LMK Middle School 8th-grade students, and 5th-grade students at Harrison Avenue Elementary School, Parsons Elementary School, Preston Elementary School, and Purchase Elementary School, in the Harrison Performing Arts Center at the high school.
At each ceremony, Dr. Wool spoke of truly seeing the people in front of us by looking “beyond what vision reveals and instead seeing with your heart.” He told stories of students in our schools who have impacted others and “made it their purpose to support other students.”
LMK Middle School Principal Scott Fried thanked parents for the gift of their children and urged students to remember the people who have been with them along the way – parents, family, teachers, staff, and administrators. He described the 8th-grade class as “open, respectful, and accepting of each other,” and reminded them to carry those traits with them into high school.
Elementary school principals thanked parents for their partnership and recognized the many ways faculty and staff support students. They spoke with students about taking risks, being curious, not being afraid of mistakes, and caring about others, and that they were always welcome back to where their educational journey began.
Board of Education trustees spoke at each ceremony, acknowledged the dedication of Dr. Wool, administrators, faculty, and staff, and thanked the community for their ongoing support.