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Class of 2026 Celebrates New Beginnings at 99th Commencement

East Islip High School celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 during its 99th commencement ceremony on June 25. Family and friends filled the stands at Sal Ciampi Field at Boomer Esiason Stadium as the graduates processed onto the field to mark the culmination of their high school journey and the beginning of an exciting new chapter.  

To begin the ceremony, Angelica Amaya, Emilia Cicale, Michael Collina, Ava Gonzalez, Olivia Primiano and Marilyn Salmeron led the Pledge of Allegiance; Gianna Monroi sang the “The Star-Spangled Banner”; and Emeline Abel, Delaney DeMasi, Ethan Jensen and Anderson Ross sang “America the Beautiful”; with all being interpreted by the school’s advanced American Sign Language class. 

In his address, Principal Anthony Montemarano reflected on the passage of time from kindergarten to senior year, saying, “While today marks the end of a chapter, it is also the beginning – continue serving, succeeding and creating new memories.” He emphasized the importance of holding on to cherished moments and appreciating accomplishments, and reminded the seniors to thank those who have helped them along the way. 

“It was the small, everyday interactions that truly made high school so special,” said salutatorian Angel Mai, whose remarks focused on appreciating the present rather than just focusing on future goals. She concluded by capturing one final high school memory using her digital camera, urging everyone to smile and celebrate the journey.  

Valedictorian Liam Eichler reflected on his second grade moving-up ceremony, where he and his young classmates shared their future career aspirations of becoming teachers, doctors, police officers and scientists. He encouraged the class to continue pursuing those dreams and to bring the same energy, spirit and acceptance to all their future endeavors as they have done throughout high school.  

Superintendent Paul Manzo encouraged the graduates to continue challenging themselves, embrace new opportunities and lead with integrity. He noted the significance of their graduation coinciding with the 250th anniversary of the United States, reminding students that every generation has the power to help shape the nation's future.  

Board of Education President Stephen Ruland congratulated the graduates and told them, “Remember your roots, seek help when needed, take your time to find your passion and be kind and respectful.”  

Class of 2026 President Alison Rosati recognized the top 25 seniors, inviting them to stand while announcing the colleges they will attend this fall. Other highlights included a special ceremony honoring the 1976 graduates of East Islip High School with a second diploma, celebrating 50 years of achievements and community impact, and recognition of graduates who will be serving in the military after commencement. 

Following the presentation of diplomas and the traditional turning of the tassels, the graduates celebrated together as hundreds of red caps soared into the air. The joyful moment was met with cheers from the stands as the newest EI alumni took their first steps toward the next chapter of their lives.  

Two smiling graduates in red gowns and caps stand in front of red lockers.
Two young women in red graduation gowns and caps stand in front of a red locker and a brick wall, with an American flag visible in the background.
A group of smiling graduates in red caps and gowns stand in a hallway with brick walls.
Three graduates in red gowns and caps pose in front of red lockers.
Graduates in red gowns and caps walk down a sidewalk in the foreground, while cars and a brick building are visible in the background.
Two graduates in red gowns and caps stand in the foreground of a crowded hallway filled with other graduates.
A group of graduates in red gowns walk down a sidewalk in front of a brick building and a street with a white SUV.
Graduates in red gowns walk towards a brick archway with %22EI PRIDE FOREVER%22 written on it, with cars and a building in the background.
A line of graduating students in red gowns and caps walks down a sidewalk with a parking lot and trees in the background.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps walk in a procession with a building and fence in the background.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps stand in a line on a paved walkway, with a brick building and trees in the background.
Graduates in red gowns walk across a red track towards a packed stadium filled with spectators.
A line of graduates in red gowns and caps stand in the foreground, with a brick building and spectators visible in the background.
Graduates in red gowns walk past a fence with a school building and parked cars in the background.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps walk on a track, with spectators watching from behind a fence in the background.
Graduates in red and black gowns walk in the foreground with a building and other people in the background.
Graduates in red gowns and caps walk past a school building with cars parked in the background.
Graduating students in red caps and gowns walk past a fence with onlookers and vehicles in the background.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps walk forward in the foreground, with a building and fence in the background.
A group of graduating students in red caps and gowns stand in the foreground with a blurred background of trees and a white structure.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps stand in the foreground with a scoreboard and stadium in the background.
Graduates in red gowns and caps stand in rows on a green field, with white chairs and floral arrangements in the foreground and a bright sky in the background.
A young woman in a red graduation gown speaks into a microphone in the foreground, while an orchestra plays in the blurred background.
A line of graduates in red gowns and caps stand on a grassy field with a cloudy sky in the background.
A group of graduates in red gowns stand on a track with a field and trees in the background.
Four graduates in red gowns and caps stand on a grassy field with microphones, while an audience sits in the background.
Graduates in red gowns stand in the foreground with a crowd of spectators watching in the background.
A young woman in a red graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium in the foreground, with a blurred crowd and green trees in the background.
A man in a graduation gown speaks at a podium in front of an American flag and a state flag, with a crowd of graduates in red caps in the foreground and trees in the background.
A graduation ceremony unfolds on a grassy field with graduates in red robes seated in rows, while an audience sits in white chairs in the foreground, all under a cloudy sky with stadium lights in the distance.
A young woman in a red graduation gown stands at a podium with an American flag behind her, while graduates in caps and gowns sit in the foreground and bleachers are visible in the background.
A young woman in a red graduation gown and cap speaks at a podium with an American flag beside her, while an audience sits in the background on a sports field.
Graduates in red caps and gowns are being recognized on a grassy field with a crowd of spectators in the background.
A young man in a graduation cap and gown stands at a podium with an American flag to his left, while a blurred crowd and stadium lights are visible in the background.
A young man in a graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium in front of a crowd of similarly dressed graduates, with an American flag to his left and a blurred background of trees and stadium seating.
Graduates in caps and gowns listen to speakers at a podium with American and state flags, while a tree-lined field stretches behind them.
A young man in a graduation cap and gown stands at a podium, speaking to an audience in the background with bleachers and banners.
Graduates in red caps and gowns are seated in the foreground, while a crowd watches in the background with a building behind them.
Graduates in red caps and gowns are seated in the foreground, with a building and spectators visible in the background.
Graduates in red caps and gowns are seated in the foreground with a school building in the background.
A young man in a red graduation gown and cap stands out in the foreground among other graduates, while a crowd of spectators watches from behind a fence in the background.
A group of graduates in red gowns and caps sit in the foreground with a school building and parked cars in the background.
A smiling graduate in a red cap and gown holds a diploma in the foreground, while other graduates and spectators are visible in the background on a grassy field.
A man in academic regalia stands at a podium with an American flag beside him, while graduates in caps and gowns sit in the background on a grassy field.
A young man in a red graduation gown walks across a grassy field towards the camera, with other graduates, faculty, and a band in the background.
A man in a graduation gown speaks at a podium in front of an American flag and bleachers on a football field.
Graduates in red gowns receive diplomas on a grassy field with an American flag and spectators in the background.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma on a football field, with an American flag and bleachers visible in the background.
Graduates in red gowns and caps walk across a grassy field with a blurred background of spectators and a flag.
Graduates in red and black gowns receive diplomas on a green field with bleachers and flags in the background, while a floral arrangement sits in the foreground.
Graduates in red gowns shake hands on a grassy field in front of bleachers and a flag.
Two graduates in red gowns and caps stand on a grassy field holding diplomas, with other graduates and attendees in the background under a bright sky.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an official in front of a podium with %22EI%22 on it, while other graduates and a bleacher-filled stadium are visible in the background.
Graduates in red and black gowns shake hands on a grassy field in front of bleachers and a flag.
Graduates in red gowns shake hands with faculty in academic regalia on a grassy field with a crowd in the bleachers behind them.
Graduates in red gowns shake hands with faculty in black robes on a grassy field with a cheering crowd in the background.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an official in academic regalia on a football field, with other graduates and a scoreboard visible in the background.
A graduate in a red cap and gown receives a diploma from an official on a grassy field, with a large crowd of spectators in the background.
Graduates in red gowns and caps stand on a field with a blurred crowd in the background.
A graduate in a red cap and gown shakes hands with an official holding an American flag on a grassy field, with bleachers and trees in the background.
A young man in a red graduation gown and cap holds a diploma in the foreground, while a crowd of similarly dressed graduates sits in the background under a bright sky.
A woman in a graduation cap and gown speaks at a podium with an American flag to her left, while a crowd of graduates in red caps fills the foreground and a blurred background of trees and a stadium fence is visible.
A graduate in a red cap and gown speaks at a podium with an American flag behind her, while a stadium with bleachers is visible in the background.
Graduates in red gowns toss their caps into the air against a bright sky with stadium lights in the background.