Carl Bernstein Addresses Pierson Grads

The Pierson hill was the stage of the Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2019 on Saturday, June 29. Salutatorian Emily Hallock and valedictorian Hannah Tuma addressed their fellow classmates and the friends and family who had gathered to celebrate the students’ many achievements. The presentation of the numerous scholarships and awards was followed by the commencement address, given by the well-known investigative reporter and author, Carl Bernstein.

He told the graduates, “Don’t be afraid to cause trouble for the right reasons.” As one of the original journalists involved in uncovering the Watergate scandal, he also stressed the importance of always seeking out the truth. Members of the Class of 2019 were awarded diplomas by Superintendent Katy Graves, Principal Jeff Nichols, and the Board of Education President, Diana Kolhoff. The Pierson Band and the Sag Harbor Community Band provided the music and the evening ended with the Pierson traditional tossing of the caps.