North Babylon High School Class of 2025 Celebrates Commencement

Parents, friends, family, teachers and administrators celebrated North Babylon High School’s Class of 2025 at the 66th annual commencement ceremony on June 27 at the high school’s football field.

After the ceremony opened with the North Babylon Fire Company Color Guard leading the Pledge of Allegiance, members of the school’s orchestra and concert choir treated the crowd to a beautiful performance of the national anthem. Student leaders recounted the many memories the class shared together which brought them closer throughout the years.

“We’ve laughed together, cried together and grown together,” Student Council President Grace Johnston told her fellow graduates. “But more importantly, we learned how to stand up for each other, how to try again after failing, how to be human.”
Salutatorian Jayden Tran reminisced about times when the school’s staff helped work through the academic and personal challenges that arise from coming of age in today’s world. “The hardest step to take is often the beginning, where you’re most doubtful,” Tran said. “But not being sure of yourself and choosing to continue moving forward is a sign of strength and resilience.”

Principal Dr. Jonathan Klomp thanked students for their care and passion during their high school years, and encouraged the Class of 2025 to live “artistically, creatively,” and to “be the change” in the world. “Students, I want you to know that you inspire me every day,” Klomp said. “You inspire the faculty and staff. We love your energy, enthusiasm and your expertise and creativity.” 

The Class of 2025 will be remembered for its incredible passion for uplifting each other and the community in a variety of ways. “Class of 2025, you have the world ahead of you and opportunities abound,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kenneth Graham said. “Each of you will be faced with everyday decisions, opportunities and situations, as well as extraordinary decisions, opportunities and situations that will require you to be superheroes and we know you will be up for it.” 

“As we head into the next chapter – college, the military, the workforce, or wherever life leads – we carry with us not just grades and achievements, but a responsibility,” said valedictorian and future West Point cadet Joseph Licata. “A responsibility to leave every space we enter better than we found it.”

The administration and students took a solemn moment before the class took to the stage to honor late classmate Dymond Saunders, who the community tragically lost in August 2024, as the first diploma recipient. A seat was left empty in the first row to honor Saunders. Her friend Natalia Lomax accepted the diploma on behalf of her family.