6-24-2022 9:21am

Graduation: North Salem High School Class of 2022

Sarah Gayden Editor

Photo by Benjamin Allen, HudValley Photo

Amid cloudy skies, the North Salem High School class of 2022 was honored at a graduation ceremony at Katonah's Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts Wednesday evening.

In his welcome address, North Salem Middle School/High School principal Vince DiGrandi shared three pearls of wisdom with the 94 graduates, ideas that he characterized as a ‘return to basic fundamentals:’ the hotter things become, the calmer you need to be, surround yourself with really good people, and look for the joy.

DiGrandi spoke of the daily ‘headwinds’ that the graduates would face in their lives, and how they would need to find ways to overcome them. He advised that the people the students surround themselves with would have a significant impact on their lives. “From the person you marry, to your friends, business partners and colleagues, they will determine your elevation,” he said. Last, DiGrandi encouraged the graduates to resist the temptation to compare their situations to ones that are more unpleasant and to instead look for the simple, everyday joys that are all around them. “Enjoying a home-cooked meal, or taking a walk in nature or admiring great art or great music,” were among the examples he gave. “Joy surrounds us if we know where to look.”

Salutatorian Gianna Leidich delivered a warm and lighthearted speech, reflecting on the mischief the class got up to over the years. “Although we’ve matured and grown into respectful young adults, I still have hope that we get into a little bit of trouble next year–life would be boring without it,” she said.

Valedictorian Delia Ciamei used North Salem’s infamous Balanced Rock as a metaphor for life. “First, there is the big rock,” she began. “This represents our lives. Supporting the big rock are three smaller stones which represent the three core aspects of life: mind, body, and soul. We must find balance between these three aspects, just as The Balanced Rock has,” Ciamei said.

Click below to view an image gallery from Graduation 2022.
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