Mandalay Elementary School bid farewell to two groups of students on June 25 with a clap-out ceremony for both its fifth grade class and its senior alumni.

Recent Wantagh High School graduates were invited back that morning and celebrated for the successes that have followed since their last days at Mandalay in June 2019. They took their caps and gowns for one last spin as they walked along the front driveway to applause and cheers from the kindergarten through fourth grade students. Many of the graduates exchanged high-fives with the youngsters.

After the Class of 2026 passed through, Mandalay’s departing students took their turn. Wearing their fifth grade T-shirts, the soon-to-be middle schoolers were celebrated for their hard work over the past six years. 

The students from both groups were announced one-by-one as they began the walk through the crowd of well-wishers.