About 260 Yonkers Middle High School seniors graduated Wednesday at the Westchester County Center.
Officials say Yonkers public schools have the highest graduation rate among the state's five biggest cities.
The graduates received their diplomas in front of thousands of family and friends.
Students say that while graduation marks the end of a chapter, it also marks the start of something brand new.
"There's highs, there's lows, there's opportunities and it's our duty to seize those opportunities," says valedictorian Arvi Gjoka.