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Remarks - Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dennis O'Hara
Good evening…
I would like to begin by thanking the Board of Education for allowing me to be your Superintendent. Being part of this community and being here with the Class of 2018 is a great privilege.
To the parents...I understand the emotions you are experiencing right now. I understand your pride and excitement, the sense of accomplishment.
I feel your tiny bit of sadness as you think about the pending departure of your child and wonder where has the time gone.
I understand all of this because, my son Brice, the youngest of our four sons, is graduating from Sachem East High School tomorrow evening and leaving in August for the University of Oklahoma.
I am immensely proud to be with you tonight as your superintendent, but I also feel a bond with you as parents, as we share in this milestone in our children’s lives.
I congratulate you and I commend you. You have raised mature, respectful, and happy young adults who are accepting of themselves and others.
To the Class of 2018, it has been my pleasure to get to know so many of you. As you prepare to take on new challenges, I’d like to share a bit on Mental Feng Shui…
-Give People More Than They Expect and Do It Cheerfully!
-Marry a man or a woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their
conversation skills will be as important as any other.
-Don’t believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
-When you say I love you...Mean it!
-When you say I’m sorry; look the person in the eye!
-Believe in love at first sight.
-Never laugh at anyone’s dreams...People without dreams don’t have much.
-Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt along the way, but it is the
only way to live life completely.
-Don’t (especially with all of your graduation parties today) judge people
by their relatives.
-When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
-Remember the three R’s...Respect for self; Respect for others; and
Responsibility for all of your actions!
-When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it!
Finally, know that more than ever, our world needs leaders. Not just regular leaders. What we need in the world more than ever are leaders of character and leaders who are compassionate.
You were raised in a fantastic community; a community in which you learned the meaning of character, integrity and compassion. You are soon to be part of the LONG BLUE LINE of Hauppauge High School Graduates.
Do not ever compromise your integrity, always show compassion, and always aspire to be leaders of character.
To quote United States Marine Corps. General and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joseph F. Dunford Jr. - “Your responsibility from this point forward is to use your agile minds, bold ideas and unlimited potential to show the world what RIGHT looks like.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2018!
Service to our Nation: Collin Crean
In early July, Collin Crean will take an oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States as a member of the United States Army.
He has chosen to make personal sacrifices in order to protect our safety, liberties and way of life.
Collin, I would again like to thank you for your service to our nation and for the protection you will soon provide to countless Americans.