Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato (D-Rockaway) this past weekend was a featured speaker at seven high school, junior high school and middle school graduations, presenting student awards at most of the ceremonies. On Friday night, she spoke at St. Frances de Sales Catholic Academy in Rockaway Park and St. Camillus Catholic Academy in Rockaway Beach. On Saturday, she gave keynote addresses at Ave Maria Catholic Academy in Hamilton Beach and at Church of God Christian Academy in Far Rockaway. Sunday morning, she addressed the Torah Academy for Girls and Bnos Bais Yaakov, both Jewish girls’ schools in Far Rockaway.

“That was a whirlwind,” said Pheffer Amato. “But I wouldn’t have rather spent my weekend any other way. These folks are the future of our community, and I got to go to almost every corner of the community in a three-day period. I can say this: I left honestly inspired, knowing our community and our world are in very good hands. Whether the students I spoke to were Middle Schoolers or High Schoolers, I’m bowled over by where they’re going and what they intend to accomplish. I hope they all keep up the amazing energy and keep us posted as they go out in the world and do our community proud!”