On June 26, the auditorium at the Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center was filled with joy and excitement as this year’s graduates were celebrated at their commencement ceremony. Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena, board members, families, faculty, staff, and alumni gathered to commemorate the achievements of the graduating class. As the graduates made their entrance, they were greeted by thunderous applause and cheers from the audience. The evening was one of jubilation and reflection, honoring the many accomplishments, cherished memories, and deep connections that have defined their time at the Henry Viscardi School (HVS).
The graduates not only excelled academically but also grew socially and emotionally, embracing every challenge and lesson along the way. Their journey reflected the key themes of the evening: strength, perseverance, and community. These sentiments were echoed in every speech. Valedictorian Mary Ogbo delivered a heartfelt speech where she equated her journey at HVS to yarn. Although easily pulled apart on its own, when interwoven with the support of her peers, faculty, family, and community, she was morphed into someone unbreakable, which helped her achieve her goals. Her words captured the essence of the HVS experience: one of unity, growth, and transformation. Salutatorian Kenny Zhao highlighted how the time he spent at HVS helped him get out of his comfort zone and try new things, which resulted in personal growth, “ Being the captain of the wheelchair basketball team was one of the best experiences of my life and it gave me a chance to prove I could be a good leader.”
President and CEO of The Viscardi Center, Dr. Chris Rosa, offered words of wisdom to the graduating class and spoke about each of the graduates and a special trait they possessed. The evening continued with this year’s keynote speaker, award-winning sommelier, para-athlete, and co-founder of Wheeling Forward and Wine On Wheels, Yannick Benjamin. His poignant speech drew from his own experience as a disabled individual and encouraged the graduates to face challenges with courage and presence, “Don’t choose the path of least resistance, lean in. Within you is a fortress, a personal citadel.”
A slide show of highlights of the graduates over the years was followed by their exiting under a bridge formed by faculty – creating a perfect ending to the night.
About the Henry Viscardi School
The Henry Viscardi School at The Viscardi Center is a New York State supported-school that offers parents of children with severe physical disabilities and who often require life-sustaining medical treatment throughout the day, a traditional educational setting option that provides rigorous academics and opportunities for personal growth and leadership development. Its specialized, accessible educational setting provides a fully enriched academic program, a variety of therapies, assistive technology, and medical support to students who may otherwise need to receive instruction in their homes or a hospital.
About The Viscardi Center
The Viscardi Center, a network of non-profit organizations, provides a lifespan of services that educate, employ, and empower people with disabilities. Its programs and services include Pre-K through High School education (to age 21), school-to-work transition services, vocational training and job placement, digital accessibility services, entrepreneurship, and workforce diversification assistance to children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and businesses.