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Manhasset High School Celebrates Class of 2026 at 106th Commencement Ceremony

Manhasset High School Celebrates Class of 2026 at 106th Commencement Ceremony

On June 20, the Manhasset community gathered in celebration on a perfect, sunlit evening for Manhasset High School’s 106th annual commencement ceremony. Bringing together faculty, proud families, dedicated friends and the school's newest alumni, the evening served as a beautiful tribute to the resilience, achievements and unique journey of the graduating Class of 2026.

Honoring Traditions and Local Foundations

The evening began with a time-honored Manhasset tradition. Class officers were called upon to sound the school bell three times—a symbolic gesture paying tribute to Manhasset graduates of the past, the present and the future.

Following the bell ringing, Class of 2026 President Abigail Dempsey officially welcomed attendees and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. The patriotism and school spirit continued to soar with a moving performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by the Manhasset High School Orchestra under the direction of Mrs. Caroline Shear.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christopher Pellettieri stepped to the podium to welcome the crowd, jokingly taking credit for the 10-out-of-10 perfect graduation weather. Transitioning to a heartfelt charge for the graduates, Dr. Pellettieri kept his speech brief but impactful, offering two simple words of advice for their futures: "Do good." He reminded the students that their Manhasset High School diploma is distinct and urged them to use their talents to leave a positive impact on the world.

Student Addresses: Finding the "Whole Point" in the Little Moments

In her presidential address, Abigail Dempsey expressed immense gratitude to the parents, teachers, counselors, coaches and administrators who provided the class with a strong foundation. Reflecting on how high school can often feel like a non-stop race for grades, status and college acceptances, Abigail drew a profound lesson from the movie "Soul."

"We spend so much time worrying about staying on track and keeping up with everyone around us that we forget life was never meant to be rushed through," she shared. "The little moments, the ones that make you smile for no reason at all, are often the most important ones. Because someday you'll look back on them and realize they were the whole point."

Salutatorian Blake Ashenberg brought humor and deep reflection to the stage, recalling how their high school journey began under the unique restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic—navigating hybrid schedules, masked faces, middle school gym cafeterias and online Zoom lessons.

"When I think of what defines our class, I think about all the moments we didn't let the outside world stop us from pursuing our passions and achieving excellence," Blake noted, giving a proud shout-out to the state championship boys lacrosse team.

Valedictorian Thomas Grygiel closed the student reflections with a powerful speech centered around humility, gratitude and three key pieces of wisdom for adulthood: do not give into fear, value the people around you and do all things with great love. Recalling a grueling memory from his time on the varsity swim team, Thomas reminded his peers to carry themselves courageously through life’s uncertainties and fight the epidemic of modern-day loneliness by deeply caring for others.

Recognizing Excellence: The Silver M Inductees

A staple of the commencement ceremony, Silver M Society President Mr. Richard Bennett took the stage to celebrate the organization’s 96th year of honoring well-rounded students who give selflessly of themselves to the greater good of Manhasset High School and the community.

This year, seven exceptional new members were inducted into the society:

  • Blake Ashenberg
  • Adriana Chan
  • Abigail Dempsey
  • Chloe Eng
  • Alexandra Kong
  • Christina Theotosopoulos
  • Luke Wade

A Gift for Future Generations

Following a beautiful musical performance of Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by select senior vocalists under the direction of Mr. Jared Barry, the class paused to ensure their legacy would live on at the school.

Class of 2026 Treasurer Owen McCormack joined Board of Education President Mr. Ted Post to announce the official class gift. Thanks to the diligent fundraising efforts of the student body, the Class of 2026 is funding a dedicated outdoor space where future generations of Manhasset students can gather, reflect and connect.

Accepting the gift on behalf of the Board of Education, Mr. Post thanked the class and emphasized that strong schools are built on the deep-rooted relationships shared between parents, families, administrators, teachers and valuable community partners like the SCA and Tower Foundation.

Congratulations, Graduates!

The evening marked a stunning conclusion to an unforgettable high school chapter. As these graduates step out into the world, the entire Manhasset community stands behind them—proud of who they are, grateful for the legacy they leave behind and excited to see the good they will undoubtedly do.

Congratulations to the spectacular Manhasset High School Class of 2026!

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Photos

Two smiling graduates in navy blue gowns and colorful sashes hold decorated graduation caps in front of a brick building and lush green bushes.
Three graduates in blue gowns and caps stand in front of a Manhasset High School sign, with lush green bushes in the foreground and a brick building in the background.
Two smiling young women in graduation attire stand on steps in front of a brick building with an open doorway.
Three smiling young women in graduation gowns hold decorated caps in front of a lush green hedge.
Four smiling graduates in blue gowns and caps stand in front of a brick building with greenery.
Seven young women in white dresses and graduation caps stand on a grassy lawn in front of a brick building with windows.
Five young women in graduation gowns and caps stand in front of a brick building, holding decorated graduation caps.
A group of nine young women in graduation attire stand behind a collection of decorated graduation caps on a sidewalk, with a paved area and greenery in the background.
Four smiling graduates in blue gowns and yellow sashes pose in front of a brick building.
Four young men in graduation gowns and caps stand in the foreground, with a brick wall and decorative molding visible in the background.
Six young men in graduation gowns and caps stand in the foreground, with a blurred background of a building interior.
A group of young men in graduation gowns and caps pose for a photo in a hallway with ornate architecture.
Seven graduates in caps and gowns stand on a tiled floor in front of a brick wall with a decorative ceiling.
Three smiling graduates in navy blue caps and gowns with gold sashes stand in front of a brick building and lush green trees.
Two smiling graduates in blue caps and gowns stand in front of a brick building.
Three smiling young women in graduation gowns and caps stand in the foreground, with a brick building and stairs in the background.
Seven young men in navy blue graduation gowns and caps stand in a hallway with tiled walls and wooden doors, holding medals and water bottles.
A large orchestra of students sits on a grassy field in front of a %22Manhasset High School Class of 2026%22 banner, with a parking lot and trees in the background under a clear blue sky.
A group of graduates in blue gowns and caps stand on steps in front of a brick building with a bell, while a colorful floral arrangement sits in the foreground.
A graduate in a cap and gown walks across a grassy lawn towards a seated audience in front of a brick building.
A graduating student in a navy blue cap and gown walks across a grassy lawn towards a brick building, while an audience sits in chairs on either side of the path.
Two graduates in blue gowns and caps walk across a grassy lawn towards a brick building with an arched entrance, while seated guests watch from chairs on the right.
Two graduates in caps and gowns walk across a grassy lawn towards a brick school building with an audience seated in chairs in the background.
Two graduates in blue gowns walk across a grassy field towards a brick building with an audience seated on chairs in the background.
Two graduates in caps and gowns walk across a grassy lawn in front of a brick building with an audience seated in chairs in the background.
Two graduates in blue gowns walk across a grassy lawn towards a brick building with an audience seated in chairs in the background.
Two graduates in blue gowns and yellow sashes walk across a grassy field towards a crowd of onlookers in the background.
Two graduates in caps and gowns walk across a grassy lawn towards a brick building with an audience seated in chairs in the background.
Two graduates in blue gowns and caps walk past a seated audience in front of a brick school building.
Two graduates in blue gowns and caps walk across a grassy lawn in front of a brick school building with an audience seated in chairs.
Two graduates in blue gowns and caps walk across a grassy lawn towards a brick building with an arched entrance, while an audience sits in chairs to the right.
A man in an orange shirt and a graduate in a blue cap and gown shake hands in the foreground, while other graduates walk up stairs towards a brick building in the background.
Two graduates in caps and gowns walk down stairs adorned with a floral arrangement, while other graduates stand on the steps in front of a brick building.
Two graduates in blue gowns and caps walk down stairs in front of Manhasset High School, with other graduates visible in the background.
Two graduates in navy blue gowns and caps with medals run down stone steps in front of a brick building, while other graduates stand at the top of the stairs near a bell and floral arrangement.
Two graduates in blue gowns and caps walk past a %22Manhasset High School%22 sign with a brick building and stairs in the background.
A smiling graduate in a cap and gown walks down a brick building's steps, with another graduate and a bell visible in the background.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown walks across a grassy field with a crowd of graduates and spectators in the background.
A blonde graduate in a navy blue cap and gown walks across a grassy field towards the camera, while another graduate walks away in the background, with an audience seated and a large screen displaying images behind them.
A smiling graduate in a cap and gown walks across a grassy field towards the camera, with an audience seated on bleachers in the background.
A smiling graduate in a blue cap and gown walks across a grassy field towards the camera, with a large screen displaying graduates and an audience seated in the background.
A graduate in a blue gown shakes hands with an official in a red robe in the foreground, while other graduates and a brick building are visible in the background.
Six graduates in caps and gowns stand at a podium in front of a brick building with a banner displaying the letter %22M%22.
Graduates in caps and gowns toss their hats in the air in front of a banner that reads %22CLASS OF 2020 SILVER M SOCIETY%22 with trees and a blue sky in the background.