The 67th annual commencement exercises for the Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Class of 2026 were held on June 25 in the Suffolk Federal Credit Union Arena at Suffolk County Community College’s Grant Campus in Brentwood. 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 importance of character. “Character isn't built on a stage like this,” he said. “It's built in the ordinary moments. And choosing honesty when no one would know the difference. It’s showing kindness when there is nothing to gain. It's keeping your word even when it's inconvenient. And standing up for someone who can't stand up for themselves. Those moments may seem small at a time, but over the course of a lifetime, they become your reputation. And your reputation will open up more doors than any resume ever will.”

Copiague School District’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon opened her remarks by playing the song “High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco, encouraging students to dream big as they move to the next stage of life. “The song reminds us to aim higher than what others might think, to dream boldly, and to keep going, even when the climb is steep,” she said. “Your potential is not measured by where you start, but by your willingness to persist, to grow, and keep reaching. Have high hopes, not just for success, but for impact. Have high hopes, not just for yourselves, but for the communities that you’re going to serve. Have high hopes, not because the journey will be easy, but because it will be worth it.”

Salutatorian Darien Reyes addressed his fellow classmates and encouraged each student to find their own path. “As we leave high school behind, I encourage all of us to trust our own paths,” he said. “Do not let comparison diminish your confidence. Be willing to take risks, explore new opportunities, and embrace the uncertainty that comes with new beginnings. Most importantly, do not let high school be your peak. Continue striving, growing, and becoming the person you want to be.” 

Class of 2026 valedictorian Krzysztof Krasnowski reminded his classmates that the next part of the journey is up to them. He urged them not to wait for someone else to make decisions for them. “We were always taught to make the right decisions in life, and now we have a landscape of decisions to make right in front of us,” he said. “We are the deciders of where we take ourselves, and nobody else can decide that for you.”

Walter G. O’Connell Copiague High School Principal Joseph Agosta reflected on the past 13 years and urged students to always carry the lessons they learned with them. “As you move forward, I encourage you to carry with you the values that were instilled here — empathy, integrity, perseverance, and pride in who you are, and where you come from,” he said. “Now the world is waiting for you to make your mark. Reflect on your high school years just not with nostalgia, but with gratitude. So many have invested in your growth, academically, socially and emotionally. And now it's your turn to pay it forward. Lead with kindness, work hard, lift others up, and no matter where you go or what you do, be a light in your community.”

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 to receive their diploma from Mr. Agosta. 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 2026.