Around 520 seniors graduated from Bay Shore High School at its annual commencement exercises for the Class of 2024 on Wednesday, June 26.

As parents, friends, and other loved ones excitedly peeked through the crowds to see their graduate, Bay Shore High School principal Stephen Gordon recognized the Bay Shore Class of 1974 and told the now alumni to tackle life’s challenges through their unique perspectives.

“Each of you possesses traits and characteristics that make you uniquely you. In a world that often pressures us to conform, it is vital to recognize the power of authenticity. Your individuality is your strength; it is what sets you apart and enables you to contribute to the world in ways that only you can,” said Gordon.

More speeches followed from salutatorian Adrianna Krummenacker, who will be attending Howard University, and valedictorian Rachna Singh, who will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“As a collective, we have accomplished so much during the past four years. We had a rough start, to say the least, having to navigate the trials and tribulations of hybrid learning while simultaneously adapting to the new and daunting environment of high school. Despite those setbacks, we prevailed,” Krummenacker said.

“There will undeniably be times when you will get tired in your studies, in your career, or in your relationships. In those times, I encourage you to rest and remember that you can slow down knowing when you have reached your limit, and taking a pause can be just as productive as the work itself. Finding the balance between rest and work is finding the recipe to success,” Krummenacker said.

Singh reflected on her years at Bay Shore and told her fellow graduates to challenge themselves throughout life.

“Bay Shore has offered me so many opportunities to make these past four years memorable, whether it was going to the volleyball games and yelling at the top of my lungs, or watching our drama shows, even if the production was over two hours long,” Singh said.

“One of the biggest lessons I take away from my four years here is that it’s always important to try something new and take a step out of your comfort zone. I know that sounds like a cliché, but it truly has helped me to become the person I am today. I believe this lesson can apply to all of us as we step out from what we’re used to, so I hope that all of us make it a personal goal to try something new, something you didn’t expect you’d ever do.”

Senior class president Kathleen Rodriguez delivered closing remarks and reflected on the meaning of community after thanking those who got her through school. “Even stronger than the very large graduating class community are the communities each of you belong to. These are the people you fall back to when times are tough. The essence of community is more than a group of people; it’s a place where you grow by learning from others,” Rodriguez said.