During his six years at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, Jay Shah learned the value of food and sleep — that they’re both good.
The Class of 2015’s valedictorian also learned something else, something he said during the school’s commencement service Sunday that he’ll value more than quadratic equations and biology: leadership.
As a wide-eyed seventh grader, the University of Pennsylvania-bound Shah said he thought being a leader meant doling out commands to a group of subordinates, but as he matured into a high school senior, that definition changed.
“Success is not defined by how far we get in life, but rather it’s defined by how far the people around you get as a result of your existence,” he said during a ceremony at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.
When Shah finished his address, New Hyde Park Memorial principal Richard Faccio presented the 265 members of the Class of 2015 with their diplomas, and they, in turn, turned their tassels to the left side of their graduation caps.
“Another school year has passed, and I have had the fortune of watching another fine group of young men and women as they have progressed through New Hyde Park Memorial High School,” said Ralph Ferrie, superintendent of the Sewanhaka Central School District, through which New Hyde Park Memorial operates.
In his remarks, Ferrie said it was imperative the graduates maintain a positive attitude when facing life’s challenges.
“Our core values are vital cycles of life,” he said, echoing the words of author Jim Haywurst Sr. in his book, “The Right Mountain: Lessons From Everest on the Real Meaning of Success. “If you don’t figure out what is at your core, what you stand for, and what ultimately motivates you, you’ll always second-guess yourself. You’ll always have regrets.”
Class salutatorian Morgan Roth, who plans to study civil engineering at Purdue University, played a game of “truth or dare” with her classmates.
“I dare you to become the person you’ve always envisioned yourself to be,” she said. “I dare you to follow your dreams, no matter how unrealistic others say they are. I dare you to pursue a career that gives you nothing but joy, even if it won’t make you the richest person in the world.”
She went on to dare her classmates to do what makes them happy, to laugh whenever they can and to stay true to themselves.
“I dare you to take risks, and yes, with risks come the potential for failure. But I want you to embrace those failures,” she added. “Realize that without failures, there can never be success.”
