THE CLASS OF 2023: READY FOR LIFE'S NEXT CAPTER

Sullivan BOCES held its commencement ceremony on Wednesday, June 21, 2023, for the Rubin Pollack Education Center at the Clubhouse at Villa Roma Family, teachers, and school administrators honored the nineteen graduates for their educational achievements.

Dr Robert M Dufour, District Superintendent at Sullivan BOCES, welcomed guests and opened the ceremony with a story of a little boy attending kindergarten for the first time The story spoke of how his father was fearful for his son as he was going to a strange place without knowing anyone at the school To do something to help protect his child, the father wrote the saying ‘You Can Do the Hard Stuff’ on a card and stuffed it in his son ’ s pocket. He told his son that this was his superpower and that if he was ever afraid or wasn’t sure if he could do something, to take the card out of his pocket and read it The boy carried the card in his pocket until he graduated high school The boy returned the card to his father at his graduation and thanked him Dr Dufour then handed each graduate a small card that said, ‘You Can Do the Hard

Stuff ’ He said, “You are stronger than you think, and you can do anything you want in life because you can do the hard stuff You’ve already done it, I know, you are here tonight, graduating,” said Dufour

Lieutenant Cheryl Crumley, from the Sullivan County Sherriff’s Department, was the keynote speaker for the graduation. Lieutenant Crumley congratulated the students and praised them for their success, and spoke of how the obstacles that they have overcome have made them stronger “Although the journey has been different for each of you, you have shown your strength and determination, and you showed up The most important part of life is showing up, ” said Crumley “You have overcome and persevered As you reflect on your high school journey, be proud of how far you have come. Now is the time for you to dream and set new goals Where ever your future takes you, let it lead you to new and amazing opportunities Class of 2023 – you ’ ve made us proud Congratulations on a job well done!”

The ceremony ’ s student speaker was Zachary Thiel, a Liberty CSD graduate Zachary spoke of the past three years he has spent at BOCES and how he learned a great deal and made many friends He congratulated his classmates and thanked them for always being there for him. He ended with words of advice for the graduates. “As you go off to college or work, never let anyone walk over you, and keep moving forward,” said Thiel

Anthony Sinacore, Sullivan BOCES Board Member, spoke to the class on behalf of the Sullivan BOCES Board of Education. He congratulated the graduates for their accomplishments and spoke of the changes and challenges the students have had over the past couple of years Mr Sinacore expressed his admiration for the students for their ability to adapt and overcome any challenge to get them to this milestone “As you move to the next step in your life - keep learning,” said Sinacore