The Nassau County School Superintendent Council paid tribute to the students with the best qualifications (“Valeticos” and “Salutatoros”) of the public secondary schools of this Long Island area in merit to their outstanding academic achievements, recognition made during their annual breakfast of Excellence, in the Crest Hollow Country Club, of Woodbury.
The emotional event held on June 5 also served as an annual tribute to the legacy of Dr. James Tolle, former executive director of the Nassau County Council of School Superintendents (NCCSS), who left an indelible mark on Nassau County Education and the entire New York state.
The honored students of generation 2025 were accompanied at breakfast by their superintendents, directors and family members.
Upon the arrival of the guests, they were received in the lobby with a musical performance by the Strings set of the Mineola high school (Mineola High School String Ensemble), under the direction of Mrs. Tracey Campbell.
Hicksville high school singers (Hicksville High School Chamber Singer), under the direction of Mrs. Arielle Siegel, performed the national anthem and “Tipitin”, with arrangements of Raúl Domínguez.
And the members of the Junior Rotc (US Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) program at Westbury High School also collaborated with the program.
It should be noted that Dr. Mary O’Meara, superintendent of the Central School District Plainview-Old Bethpage, welcomed all the guests, presented the members of the Executive Committee and the leaders, and praised the students for their achievements.
The president of NCCSS and Superintendent of Schools of Farmingdale, Paul Defendini, pronounced the opening words and went to the “valheditories” and “salutatives” about the importance of identifying his superpoder and using it with responsibility.
“They are not built alone,” said Mr. Defendini. «They lead with kindness, defend the right thing and serve their community with integrity. It is then that his superpower will really become great ».
For his part, the main speaker, Michael Dowling, president and executive director of Northwell Health, shared his experiences when growing in the extreme poverty in Ireland and how the challenges he faced, as well as his precarious educational and professional career, prepared him for success.
Dowling encouraged students to look around and recognize the people who helped them get here. “Success is never an individual achievement,” Dowling said. “It is built on the shoulders of those who support you, challenge you and help you get up when you fall.”
He reminded students that relationships are more important than technology and explained that, although AI (artificial intelligence) is a useful tool, it does not have emotional empathy or intelligence. “Use wisdom technology,” he said. “But do not allow the human connection to replace.”
Mr. Dowling concluded encouraging students to be adventurers, to take risks, to try new things no longer be afraid of failure. «Leave a trail. They do not limit themselves to follow the path; They believe one that others can follow and that they feel proud ».
While the Superintendents who are part of the Committee for the Excellence of Excellence announced the names of each “Valadictorian” and “Salutatorian”, together with the universities they plan to attend and their planned careers, each received a plaque in commemoration of their outstanding achievements.
