Brooklyn Tech’s Class of 2025 Celebrated at a Memorable Commencement Ceremony

June 26, 2025

On a bright and joyous Friday morning, June 20, 2025, Brooklyn Technical High School held its 143rd Commencement Ceremony at the Barclays Center, honoring the extraordinary accomplishments of the Class of 2025. The ceremony was a powerful celebration of achievement, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of Brooklyn Tech.

A Morning of Pride and Purpose

The event began with a grand academic processional, of more than 1,500 members of the Class of 2025, set to “Pomp and Circumstance,” followed by a stirring rendition of the national anthem performed by graduating senior William Dartley, soon to attend Berklee College of Music. Christina Massie, Head Coordinator of Student Activities (COSA), opened the ceremony with heartfelt advice for the graduates. Drawing from her own career challenges, Massie urged students to “own your mistakes and move forward,” reminding them that “you are the author of your life.”

Principal David Newman expressed admiration for the graduates’ resilience and drive. “Brooklyn Tech has prepared you for college and surely beyond,” he said. “Your dreams, your goals, your ideas, and what you learned here every day will be what builds and leads our world of tomorrow.”

A Powerful Message from a Tech Legend

The highlight of the ceremony was the keynote address delivered by Dr. David H. Abramson ’61, a world-renowned ophthalmic oncologist and pioneer in treating childhood eye cancer. With warmth and humor, Dr. Abramson reflected on the evolution of Tech from his time to now, offering both personal anecdotes and timeless wisdom.

In one of the ceremony’s most powerful moments, Dr. Abramson emphasized the value of preparation:

“In medicine, like life, anticipating, planning, and rehearsing for something that you may only need once is worth it,” he said, recounting how a lifetime of vigilance led him to extinguish an operating room fire in under two seconds—a moment decades in the making.

He urged graduates to be dreamers and innovators:

“Don’t just build on the past. Dream the future and create it.”

And in a final call to action, he challenged the Class of 2025 to aim for daily kindness:

“If each of you does one selfless deed a day… your class will have done 33,945,000 good deeds. You will make the world better.”

Honoring Achievement and Legacy

Dr. Denice Clarke Ware ’83, President of the Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation Board of Directors, officially welcomed the graduates into the alumni community. “You now carry the Technite name that is synonymous with excellence,” she said. “Let your brilliance speak volumes.” She also acknowledged the incredible year the students had—from championship athletic teams to national academic honors.

The ceremony continued with spirited speeches from student leaders. Salutatorian Nevena Glisic (Princeton ’29) reminded her peers to honor the people and places that shaped them. “When we rise, we don’t rise alone,” she said.

Valedictorian Arthur Cornelis (Yale ’29) offered his own thanks, weaving in gratitude to family, counselors, teachers, and friends:

“I’m grateful to have met all of you. I know you are all made for greatness.”

Student Government President Hannah Chiang and Senior Class President Eason Shao brought heart, humor, and reflection to their addresses, capturing the bittersweet triumph of graduation and the unique culture of Brooklyn Tech.

Celebrating Brooklyn Tech Excellence

The Blue & White Award and the prestigious All Tech Award were given to Jay Blechman and Brandon Slewett, respectively, recognizing their commitment, leadership, and school spirit.

The ceremony closed with the traditional alma mater, the graduates’ traditional Ephebi Oath, and the long-anticipated toss of blue and white carnations into the air.

Welcome to the Alumni Family

As the Class of 2025 exits Brooklyn Tech’s iconic halls and steps into the wider world, they carry with them a legacy of toughness, excellence, community, and hope—traits proudly honed within the walls of 29 Fort Greene Place. The Brooklyn Tech Alumni Foundation is thrilled to welcome these newest alumni into our global network of more than 80,000 strong.

We cannot wait to see the Class of 2025 back for Recent Alumni Day 2026 on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Brooklyn Tech has prepared you for college and surely beyond. Your dreams, your goals, your ideas, and what you learned here every day will be what builds and leads our world of tomorrow.”