51 Students Get Diplomas During FHS Summer Commencement Exercises

Flashbulbs popped, video cameras whirred, and family members and friends by the hundreds applauded as 51 students clad in caps and gowns marched into the Freeport High School auditorium to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

The group received diplomas at the FHS Summer Commencement Exercises, and joined the Class of 2006.

These hardworking graduates attended a successful summer school at FHS during which they received intensive Regents review and six weeks of support classes in a variety of subjects. Then they took and passed appropriate Regents examinations to fulfill New York State graduation requirements.

Keynote speaker at the ceremony was Noel Thompson, a member of the FHS Class of 1998 who had earlier had trouble in school, but turned his academic career around—and subsequently graduated from both FHS and Hofstra University. Thompson now works on Wall Street for Goldman-Sachs and has established a successful and lucrative career. The graduates also heard words of encouragement and congratulations from Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Eversley and Board of Education President Debra McQuillan. Freeport Mayor William Glacken was also on hand to offer his good wishes to the students.

“The Freeport School District offers strong support that enables our students to graduate and move on to careers and higher education just as soon as they are ready,” says Dr. Eversley. “The summer program and the expansion of our Regents Review program are examples of our commitment to continuing to raise the FHS graduation rate.”