Five Towns College 2013 commencement

Five Towns College's 39th annual commencement was held Saturday morning in the in the Eugene Orloff Auditorium at Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills.

171: 17 associate, 131 bachelor's, 20 master's and 3 doctorate degrees.

Valedictorian Alex Dengler, 27, of Cold Spring in Putnam County, received a bachelor's degree in business management with a concentration in audio recording technology. He told the students at the commencement ceremony at Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills: "It's been a long journey, and now it's time for us to face the crossroads . . . Each of us has to decide where we want to go after graduation. Some of us might pursue a career in the arts while others might choose a different path."

Salutatorian Jordan King, 23, of East Islip, received a bachelor's degree in jazz and commercial music with a concentration in music business. She told the students: "Today, we are honoring the future producers, actors, musicians and movers and shakers of the world . . . It's time for us to spread our wings and leave our nest."

"I'm so excited. I'm happy to be done. I hope to be a music producer."

"I'm not looking forward to paying the student loans, but I am excited to have graduated. I'm looking to be a stage manager."

"Finally a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I'm glad my parents got to see my accomplishment. I'm ready to go out and start making a difference."

"I studied very hard. I almost didn't make it, but I am glad I did . . . I'm going to be a teacher's assistant and then go back and actually be a teacher."

"I was inspired and committed to getting this degree. I want to be really involved in the film industry."