Valley Stream North seniors learn life lessons

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More than 200 North High School seniors learned life lessons on June 26 before they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.

“Humans love teaching each other lessons,” Valedictorian Amelia Cossentino explained in the beginning of her speech on idioms. In it, she shared her favorite saying, “No whining on the yacht,” which means that one should not complain if they have a good life.

“You’re here, graduating from an opportunity-rich high school in a free country,” Cossentino said. “That is a great deal of wealth.”

She also told her fellow graduates to “smile and nod” when they face obstacles, saying the North High School class of 2019 is “right on course.”

Salutatorian Kailyn Fan added that they will always have the opportunity to revise their lives, and Principal Rachel Green said that the class is “a caring group of people,” and thanked them for welcoming her to the school.

The North graduation also featured a special diploma presentation to Dr. Thomas Troisi, who is retiring as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. He started his career in the district as the school’s principal.