MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (June 26, 2019) – One-hundred ninety-seven graduating seniors accepted their diplomas from Mount Vernon City School District Superintendent Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton at the Nellie A. Thornton High School commencement ceremony – the school’s first inside the completely refurbished auditorium.
Valedictorian D’Mario-Lee Giovanni Budhi and Salutatorian Juan David Franco addressed their classmates and attendees, reflecting on their four years at Thornton and looking forward to the future.
Budhi purposefully spent much of his speech thanking his family, his friends, his teachers and other people who have had a positive influence in his life.
“I literally wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for these people,” he said. “So why not show a lot of gratitude for it. Me standing up here as a valedictorian was a team effort. It would never be something I did on my own.”
Franco charged his classmates to continually develop their own goals and aspirations. “The old rules are crumbling and we don’t know what the new rules are,” he said. “So make up your own rules. The Class of 2019, make your own rules. Look toward the future or you’ll realize you are stagnant in a changing world. ”
Dr. Hamilton directed his students to balance the fun times of life with handling life’s responsibilities. “I want to encourage you to always remember the basic discipline of being studious, being diligent, being consistent and to live your life with a purpose and to make a difference in the world,” he said. “To remember those less fortunate, to remember your civic responsibility. To help your community. To come back, to reach out and to remember your underclassmen. How exciting it is to be heading into a world with such a powerful and eloquent toolkit that will give you everything you need to choose your own destiny.”
“You have achieved many accomplishments,” Board of Education President Wanda White said. “And you have many more to achieve. You have infinite power, endless possibilities and boundless opportunities in the future. So, continue to believe in yourself and always, always strive to follow your dreams.”
The Dr. Kenneth R. Hamilton Superintendent’s Award, which is given to a student who has demonstrated the most improvement, was awarded to Tahj Blake.
About Mount Vernon City School District
With more than 8,000 students in 16 schools, and students returning from private schools, the Mount Vernon City School District is committed to providing a quality education to its children as well as developing programs that meet the diverse academic and social needs of its students.
