The 66th annual commencement exercises for the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Class of 2025 were held on June 26 in the Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena at Suffolk County Community College’s Brentwood campus. Led by faculty members and advisors, the graduates walked through the arena to “Pomp and Circumstance” as they were met by applause from family and friends in attendance.

Copiague School District Board of Education President Anthony S. Pepe welcomed guests to the celebration and spoke about the journey leading to graduation day. “You pushed through the pressures of deadlines, decisions, and doubts,” he said. “You showed resilience during uncertain times, and you stood tall during pivotal moments. And tonight, we honor every step of that journey. We want to discover your strengths, wrestle with challenges, and learn what it means to be part of something bigger than yourselves. You have made us proud, and you have given us a reason to believe that the future is in capable hands.”

Copiague School District’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon played a song for the graduates, “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, to reflect on the journey that brought the class together in so many ways. “It's not just about reaching the top or achieving your goals,” she said. “It’s about the strength you gained, the lessons you’ve learned, and the perseverance you’ve shown along the way. Let this song be a reminder that every step, every struggle, and every success is part of your story. I hope you carry its message with you. Life will always have its ups and downs, but it's the climb that shapes who we are.”

Salutatorian Kaydee Bonilla addressed her fellow classmates and offered one final lesson in kindness. “I hope that we can all remember the bucket challenge in elementary school and its catch phrase: treat others the way you want to be treated,” she said. “It was the golden rule. If there’s anything that you may leave this school and go into the world with, it is this saying. I hope that when you leave here today, that you can all change the world by leading with kindness and compassion. That you will live by the golden rule and remember that everyone is a human being.”

Class of 2025 Valedictorian Ethan Zheng spoke to his classmates about living in the moment. “Be proud, be grateful and please, take a little time to love yourself today,” he said. “You deserve it. Don’t rush through life trying to catch up to someone else’s version of success. Appreciate where you are and who you are, right now. Because at the end of the day, your happiness is what matters most. Class of 2025, we’ve already made it through so much, and I know we’re just getting started. I can’t wait to see how each of you changes the world in your own way.”

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta reflected on the past 13 years and all the support and dedication the graduates were offered. “Each step along the way has brought challenges to face, obstacles to overcome, and victories to celebrate,” he said. “And now, here you stand – on the threshold of something greater – a wider road we call life. In those 13 years, one constant has been the support around you. Whether you arrived here in kindergarten or joined us later, you’ve been surrounded by people who believed in you – families who loved you, teachers and staff who guided you, and a Board of Education committed to helping you discover your potential. They gave you the tools to think critically, act with compassion, and step forward as confident, capable citizens of the world. As you move forward, I encourage you to carry with you the values that have been instilled here: empathy, integrity, perseverance, and pride in who you are and where you come from.”

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Assistant Principals Timothy Gilroy and David Aguado took to the podiums to announce the names of each student. Graduates made their way across the stage and were congratulated by Mr. Agosta and Dr. Bannon. After all names were called, Mr. Agosta instructed the students to turn their tassels, tossing their caps high into the air in celebration as official graduates of the Class of 2025.