Hattar: ‘I hope you never underestimate the value of the wisdom’

As I thought about what I wanted to say tonight, my mind kept returning to my childhood.

I grew up in a family that did not have much. I was one of 8 children, born to Jordanian immigrants, living in Southwest Yonkers, Park Hill and School Street, for anyone who's familiar with the area.

My father worked three jobs to provide for his family. My mother stayed home to raise their eight children.

They never earned high school or college degrees. They never had fancy things. They never went on vacation and almost never went out to dinner unless it was Nathan’s on Central Avenue.

As a child, I didn't fully understand what sacrifice looked like.

I didn't notice when my parents wore old coats, so we could have new ones. Or when they skip things they wanted. So we could have enough money for food and books and school supplies. I didn't notice the stress they carried or the worries they kept to themselves.

What I did notice was that every day my father got up and went to work.

Every single day.

No excuses, no complaints, just determination.

Although all eight of their children went on to attain advanced degrees, my parents possessed something even more valuable than a degree.

They had wisdom. Not the kind you learn from a textbook. Not the kind you find on a Google search, and certainly not the kind that you get from AI.

It's something that I call parental wisdom.

Parental wisdom taught me that your word matters, that showing up matters, that treating people with respect matters. That hard work is not a punishment, it's a privilege. That character is what you do when nobody is launching and so many more meaningful lessons.

Knowledge tells you what to do, but wisdom helps you to understand why.

Class of 2026, as you leave Yorktown High School tonight, I hope you never underestimate the value of the wisdom that has been passed down to you, from your parents, perhaps your grandparents, teachers, coaches, and will continue to be passed down to you if you let it.

You're going to need six things to be successful in life. Number one: curiosity. Number two: you need to be driven. Some people call it a hunger. Number three: you have to be willing to work hard. Number four: perseverance. You will get knocked down. You need to get back up and keep going. Number five: integrity. Number six: sense humor. Interestingly, AI or technology cannot teach you any of those things. They're only learned from the people who love you, people sitting here. People who challenge you, who believe in you, your parents, your grandparents, perhaps even teachers and coaches

Interestingly, AI or technology cannot teach you any of those things. They're only learned from the people who love you, people sitting here. People who challenge you, who believe in you, your parents, your grandparents, perhaps even teachers and coaches.

Parental wisdom will also teach you what kindness looks like. What responsibility looks like and what love looks like.

Class of 2026, you're graduating during a remarkable time.

But no matter how much the world changes, some things never will.

People will always need courage.

People will always need compassion.

People will always need integrity and leaders they can trust.

And the only way to develop those is through experience, relationships, personal connections, and the values we choose to live by. As superintendent, I have had the privilege of watching you grow since your days at Crompond, for so many of you.

I've watched you achieve remarkable things in classrooms, on athletic fields, on the stage, and throughout the community. But what gives me the greatest confidence about your future is not your accomplishment.

It's your character.

You are an amazing group of people, and I have seen that firsthand since you've been in Crompond. As you go walk in your different directions after tonight, please stay close to your family.

If you take one thing away from what I am saying, please stay close to your families. So what does that mean? Call home often. The wisdom they can offer you is the best education you're going to receive over these next 4 years.

Call home often, and more often than we need. Your family will miss you in a way that you will not understand until you have children of your own. And if you have a younger sibling, please call them and check in on them when you're away of school. You've been a superhero to your younger sibling. Call them, check in. It will mean so much to them and it's your opportunity to begin paying for them the wisdom that you have gained.

Class of 2026, I am so, so proud of you.

Congratulations.

Read Hattar’s entire speech at theyorktownnews.com