On Monday evening, June 16, HANC High School celebrated its Commencement before an audience of proud family members, guests, administration, and faculty. The ceremony took place at The Space in Westbury, New York.
The program opened with Jonathan Es-hagian and Rachel Wieder leading the t’filos for Tzahal and for the hostages, followed by a video presentation featuring administrators, rebbeim, moros, and teachers, reflecting on the Class of 2025 over the past four years, as well as heartwarming messages to the graduates.
Following the processional, the National Anthem and the HaTikvah were led by Dylan Homapour ’15. Rabbi Eli Slomnicki, menahel/principal of the High School, then welcomed guests and graduates and introduced salutatorian Noam Traeger, who delivered a meaningful invocation.
HANC’s Chairperson of the Board of Education, Dr. Debra Alper ’00, congratulated the Class of 2025 on their excellent record of accomplishments in academics, athletics, and chesed.
Mrs. Marie Palaia, Associate Principal, greeted the graduates with a warm, congratulatory message, reminding students to strive for excellence and to find balance in their lives.
In her outstanding and creative valedictory address, Shoshana Eisner encouraged her classmates with a poignant question – “Who will you be?” – and urged them to continue making positive choices based on the foundations each student received while at HANC.
Dylan Homapour ’15 returned to the stage to perform a Tribute to Tzahal. Accompanied by the orchestra, which included Rabbi Judah Hulkower, Dylan riveted the audience with a heartfelt rendition of the Mi SheBeirach L’Tzahal.
Ms. Tziporah Zucker, Assistant Principal, delivered a heartwarming message, reminding students that we are living in challenging but historic times with the current mission Operation Rising Lion, and tied it into the graduating class.
Ms. Zucker then introduced the class speaker, Alana Rubensohn, who animatedly reflected on four years of high school with a d’var Torah, nostalgia, and genuine love for her friends and her HANC experience.
A special tribute was made to Mrs. Marie Palaia, who will be retiring after 33 years at HANC. Matan Galanti and Chavy Reiss expressed their sincere gratitude to Mrs. Palaia before presenting her with a recognition plaque from the faculty, students, and parents of HANC High School. In a surprise presentation, two Nassau County legislators – Mazi Pilip, District 10, and John Ferretti, District 15 – on behalf of Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, presented Mrs. Palaia with two citations in honor of her 33 years of dedication and service.
Rabbi Slomnicki addressed the graduating class by first speaking about the current situation in Israel as of this past week and how he needed to adjust his parting words accordingly. He then shared how HANC’s rebbeim, moros, teachers, and families have made the Class of 2025 the boldest young men and women of society.
Rabbi Slomnicki, Mrs. Palaia, and Ms. Zucker distributed diplomas to the graduates, who were also greeted by Director of Student Life Rabbi Daniel Mezei and Deans of Students Mr. Adam Brick and Mrs. Allison Hus. Graduates were also gifted with The Journey to Your Ultimate Self: An Inspiring Gateway into Deeper Jewish Thought Through the Lens of the Weekly Parashah by Rabbi Shmuel Reichman.
Following the recessional, a beautiful collation was enjoyed by all the guests.
Mazal tov to all the graduates and their families! We wish our wonderful HANC High School Class of 2025 much success – b’hatzlachah – in their future endeavors.
