The Harrison High School Commencement Exercises celebrated an empathic, principled, accomplished, and inspiring Class of 2024 with family, friends, District administrators, faculty, staff, and members of the Board of Education gathered at the SUNY Purchase Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, before proceeding to highlight of the remarkable accomplishments of the Harrison High School Class of 2024 a moment of silence was observed in memory of the recently deceased 8th grader Mark-Anthony Giordano.
Principal Kimberly Beukema congratulated and welcomed graduates and acknowledged the Board of Education, Superintendent, and community. She recognized all who made this moment possible and highlighted the extraordinary work of faculty and staff members from kindergarten through 12th grade. In addressing the Class of 2024, she said, “You taught us all an important lesson—there is nothing better than being yourself, and vulnerability IS a strength. Each of you found your unique voice and felt safe to explore and take risks at your high school.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Louis Wool said he knew, even when these students were only in 6th grade, that this class would have a profound and lasting impact on the school district. He shared the extraordinary breadth and depth of accomplishments of Harrison High School’s “most successful graduating class,” which included Regeneron finalists, scholars and interns, National Merit Finalists, Metro Award winners, League and Section Champions, and future NCAA athletes, among many other achievements.
Our Superintendent shared the stories of four graduates, whom he did not name but who he believed exemplified the class of 2024. He noted how, despite their extraordinary personal successes, they never failed to see the possibilities in others and extended both love and support.
Dr. Wool reiterated his
yearbook message to the seniors: Demonstrate strength of character, make your own decisions, and be ever mindful of the pressures to conform to groupthink. He reminded graduates and the audience that our high school rejects groupthink by opening opportunities to every student and that always saying “you can” to children is important. “Everything we do in Harrison is designed to elevate their voices.”
He praised the senior class for resisting groupthink and embracing one another. He reminded us that the class of 2024 was the most successful academic class in history because of their character. They embraced every opportunity and embodied the District’s commitment to every student: “In Harrison, we believe all means ALL.”
Board of Education Vice President Kelly Mulvoy Mangan encouraged the graduates to embrace the final attribute as an International Baccalaureate to be “reflective” and to take all they learned in Harrison with them: “Be proud to be from Harrison, be proud to be a Husky.”
After a performance of “Our Time” from the Broadway musical Merrily We Roll Along, sung by senior members of the chorus, three graduates addressed their classmates: Senior Class President Emilie Oestreicher, the teacher-selected speaker Lucia Lammers, and student-selected speaker Jordan Lubowitz. The messages to classmates were thoughtful and reflected the character of their class.
Class President Emilie Oestreicher encouraged classmates to “Recognize the value you bring and the unique insights you possess…We can all play a part in building a more vibrant community by creating an atmosphere of shared learning and encouragement.”
Lucia Lammers shared the many “firsts” and “lasts” the Class of 2024 experienced together, “Harrison High School’s Class of 2024 is truly like no other in our extreme passion, resilience, creativity, togetherness, pride, and courage. We made it. Today, let's rejoice in another first, graduating from high school.”
Jordan Lubowitz reminded graduates that greatness comes from discomfort and hard work, “I challenge all of us… to get more uncomfortable: go introduce yourself to people you don’t know. Let's step out of our comfort zones and meet new people, people with diverse identities and perspectives. Embrace discomfort by actively working to improve and help the lives of others…”
The ceremony concluded with the awarding of diplomas to the Class of 2024, a tassel exchange, and the traditional tossing of graduation caps.
