More than 600 Massapequa students get diplomas

The applause was thunderous as parents, family and friends cheered for the 648 graduates of Massapequa High School in a commencement ceremony at Hofstra University.

They clapped their hands, yelled loudly, stomped in the stands and even blew a few foghorns.

The students were all smiles as they threw their blue caps into the air, which seemed to make up for the two beach balls they tried to throw around during the ceremony before they were each quickly taken away.

The Massapequa ceremony focused on students addressing students, said Principal Barbara Williams, so in lieu of a principal’s address or a keynote speaker, the ceremony included speeches by class president Richard Staubitz, Salutatorian Natalie Sabia and Valedictorian Alexa Savino.

Williams said the students did not disappoint her, calling Savino’s speech particularly “poignant.” Savino talked about her most treasured memories at the school, and specifically recalled mixed feelings about giving the school back her violin.

Her bittersweet sentiment was echoed by many of the graduates. Robin Li, who will attend City College in the fall, said he could relate to the message.

“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said as he left the ceremony. “It’s happy but sad.”

Valerie Mogavero, whose son Joseph graduated, also said it was an emotional day, especially as she reflected on what it took to get there.

“A lot of hard work,” she said. “There was a lot of pushing, a lot of asking ‘Did you read?,’ ‘Did you do your homework?, for the past 12 years. Thank God he made it.”