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HSgraduations

A crowd of proud parents cheered graduates Saturday at Hampton Bays High School, taking photos and clapping as their children received diplomas. 
But for Hampton Bays mom Dorothy Marino, the moment was bittersweet – she accepted a diploma for her son, Joseph, who was killed by a drunken driver in August 2009. 
Saturday would have been his graduation day. The diploma was framed and the matting signed by all of the seniors in his class. 
“It was so beautiful,” Marino said. “It took a very painful situation and made it very special.” 
In the years since her son, who was 15 at the time, was killed after a drunken driver struck him on Ponquogue Avenue, Marino has crusaded against drinking and driving. 
She has established scholarships in her son’s name; three were awarded last week at the high school. At the graduation ceremony, Marino offered heartfelt thanks to the community that has supported her family during their time of despair. 
“Everyone reached out and helped us. We just wanted to let them know how much it meant to us,” she said. 
One student who received a scholarship, Matthew Burghardt, who was Joseph’s best friend, said losing him “devastated me.” He has decided to pursue a career in law enforcement to prevent similar tragedies. 
The Hampton Bays school community was irrevocably changed by the death of a student who was loved by so many, Superintendent Lars Clemensen said. 
“It’s hugely symbolic for us and for the Marino family,” Clemensen said. “Joey did have an impact on Hampton Bays, when he was in school here and since 2009 ... This graduating class went through something that was traumatic and life-changing, and it gave them another level of compassion.”

Mom receives diploma for son killed in '09

Mom receives diploma for son killed by drunken driver

JoesGrad

The applause was thunderous as parents, family and friends cheered for the 648 graduates of Massapequa High School in a commencement ceremony at Hofstra University. 
They clapped their hands, yelled loudly, stomped in the stands and even blew a few foghorns. 
The students were all smiles as they threw their blue caps into the air, which seemed to make up for the two beach balls they tried to throw around during the ceremony before they were each quickly taken away. 
The Massapequa ceremony focused on students addressing students, said Principal <a href="/topics/Barbara_Williams">Barbara Williams</a>, so in lieu of a principal’s address or a keynote speaker, the ceremony included speeches by class president Richard Staubitz, Salutatorian Natalie Sabia and Valedictorian Alexa Savino. 
Williams said the students did not disappoint her, calling Savino’s speech particularly “poignant.” Savino talked about her most treasured memories at the school, and specifically recalled mixed feelings about giving the school back her violin. 
Her bittersweet sentiment was echoed by many of the graduates. Robin Li, who will attend City College in the fall, said he could relate to the message. 
“It’s an amazing feeling,” he said as he left the ceremony. “It’s happy but sad.” 
Valerie Mogavero, whose son Joseph graduated, also said it was an emotional day, especially as she reflected on what it took to get there. 
“A lot of hard work,” she said. “There was a lot of pushing, a lot of asking ‘Did you read?,’ ‘Did you do your homework?, for the past 12 years. Thank God he made it.”

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More than 600 Massapequa students get diplomas

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When Ericka Cruz spent two weeks filling out the 23-page Gates Millennium Scholars application in January, she never thought that months later she would be one of only 1,000 students nationwide to receive one of the country’s most coveted scholarships. 
Cruz, 17, the first in her family to go to college, will attend <a href="/topics/Boston_University">Boston University</a> in the fall, where she plans on majoring in political science and international studies. She eventually wants to go to law school. 
She is one of 325 students who graduated from H. Frank Carey High School Sunday and the first of its students to get this scholarship. The scholarship is funded by a $1.6 billion grant from the Bill &amp; <a href="/topics/Melinda_Gates">Melinda Gates</a> Foundation. 
“My reaction immediately was, I kinda had a little heart attack because I realized that only 1,000 students out of 24,000 applicants get it nationwide,” Cruz said. 
Unlike the average college student, Cruz, who just came back from her orientation at Boston, was not talking about the campus or her plans for college life. What excited her was the prospect of going on service trips to <a href="/topics/Kuwait">Kuwait</a>. 
“I’m taking Arabic,” she said. “I want to travel to work for non-governmental organizations there.” 
Cruz’s parents are as happy as parents of a high school graduate can be. The scholarship is just icing on the cake for them. 
“She was definitely working so hard, the achievements and everything that she had today was because she put a lot of effort in it,” said Cruz’s father, Hugo Cruz. 
He has one word to describe all his daughter’s accomplishments. 
“Dedication,” he said. “There was a lot of dedication on her part. I guess it worked out, it paid off in the end.” 
And according to Cruz’s principal Valerie Angelillo, dedication is what made Cruz stand out among the other students. 
“I think I’m going to bring her back she is such a good fundraiser,” Angelillo said. “She was truly a remarkable young woman, three-sport athlete, in the top 20 of the class.” 
Some of Cruz’s charity work for the school includes raising $2,000 for <a href="/topics/Heifer_International">Heifer International</a>, which provides livestock to impoverished countries. 
“I always tell my daughter, ‘Ericka, don’t give up, you're going to do it, you're going to make it and you're going to get it,’” Glenda Cruz said. “And the day when we opened that envelope we were like, ‘Oh my God! Got got it! You did it.’” 
“I definitely think I will miss high school,” Cruz said. “I got to try everything and I discovered my passion. It gave me the groundwork and the foundation for what I want to pursue in my future.” &nbsp;

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Gates scholarship recipient among H. Frank Carey HS grads

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Proud parents and family members cheered, clapped, and stamped their feet as 60 seniors marched down the aisles of Greenport High School's auditorium Sunday in a ceremony filled with laughter, tears and hometown heart. 
Secondary principal Leonard Skuggevik gave the ceremony a deeply personal touch, taking time to share heartfelt stories about, and give gifts to, students, many of whom have been classmates since kindergarten. 
“When I first interviewed two and a half years ago for this job, I saw a sign outside that said, ‘The greatest kids in the world learn here.’ Never before has such a simple message been so true,” Skuggevik said. 
Skuggevik presented Kaitlin McElroy with a bottle of laundry&nbsp;detergent meant to symbolize her stature and quest to evade the school’s dress code. 
“Small and mighty,” Skuggevik said. 
Similarly, Skuggevik remembered the day in March 2008 when student Brian Lehmann asked his teacher for a paper clip and promptly made Greenport High history when he jammed it in a socket, sparking a loud noise and “quite a shocked” student. 
But on a more serious note, Skuggevik talked about the future. 
“Today is a day of unbridled optimism,” he said. “No goal is unreachable.” 
In one of four commencement speeches delivered by students, <a href="/topics/Joseph_Anthony">Joseph Anthony</a> Silverman said, “Only in Greenport” would a beloved teacher ride a bike down the hall or would Superintendent Mike Comando joke with students.” 
“This is not saying good-bye,” Silverman reminded his fellow graduates. “It’s saying farewell until we meet again.” 
Photo: Greenport High School&nbsp;graduates wait to&nbsp;receive their diplomas during&nbsp;commencement Sunday. (June 26, 2011) <script defer type="text/javascript">

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Heartfelt humor marks Greenport graduation

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Emmanuel Kim, the valedictorian of the Ward Melville High School Class of 2011, has a long list of accomplishments. 
He learned to speak English as a second language as a child, sought out a teacher-mentor to help him with his grammar, and read hundreds of books and watched movies to learn the nuances of the language and of American humor, said Ward Melville Principal Alan Baum while introducing him before his speech at Sunday’s graduation ceremony. 
In high school, Kim was named a National Merit Scholarship finalist and presented at the Siemens Westinghouse Science and Technology Competition. He founded Model <a href="/topics/U.S._Congress">Congress</a> at the high school and also played violin in the orchestra for the school’s production of Phantom of the Opera this year. 
But there was one talent Kim had kept to himself until Sunday: rapping. 
Kim, who will enroll at Dartmouth College in the fall, rapped about his high school career in lieu of a traditional speech. 
In his rap, Kim talked about his feelings as he worked through high school, like being intimidated as an underclassmen, feeling the academic pressure of junior year, and finally becoming a senior. 
"Oh my goodness, it's our senior year, and suddenly we're the oldest ones here," he rapped. "It felt like the pressure was on, college apps, our childish days were gone." 
After concluding his rap, Kim also quoted pop-singer <a href="/topics/Katy_Perry">Katy Perry</a>, calling each of his classmates a "firework." 
Baum congratulated each of this year’s more than 600 graduates, including his daughter, Camryn, on completing their high school careers. As a result of their hard work, he said, this year’s class earned about $20 million in grants and scholarships. 
Interim Superintendent Neil Lederer implored on the graduates that from that point on, they would be nearly free of outside pressure to succeed. In college and future employment, it would be up to the individual to pressure themselves to meet responsibilities. 
“You must want to succeed to succeed,” he said. “You may be tired of listening to others, but you better listen to yourself.”

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Rapping valedictorian addresses Ward Melville graduates

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In the crowd of nearly 600 graduating seniors seated on the football field at Commack High School, brightly colored cords hanging from so many of their necks broke up the monotony of black gowns and yellow sashes. 
The students wore honor cords representing more than 15 honor societies. Master of Ceremonies James Desmond, an English teacher at the high school, called the Class of 2011 one of Commack’s most accomplished. 
One hundred percent of the class graduated on Sunday, added Principal Catherine Nolan. Ninety-eight percent of them graduated with a Regents diploma; 97 percent are attending college in the fall and the remaining students will attend technical schools or join the military, she said. The class also received more than $26 million in scholarships. 
“To those who much are given, much is expected,” she advised them. 
The student speakers - designated by their school as academic leaders - <a href="/topics/Marni">Marni</a> Wasserman and Erica Portnoy, also told their peers they expected much of them. Both students called on well-known children’s tales to convey their messages. 
Wasserman asked the audience to consider an alternate message hidden in the fable "The Tortoise and The Hare." 
She said that while the tortoise clearly won the race because the hare - confident his speed would surpass that of his opponent - made too many stops along the course, maybe in the end, the hare had the right idea. 
“Maybe the stops that the hare took were experiences the tortoise missed,” she said, adding that life should not be treated like a series of competitions. 
Erica Portnoy explored the value of pessimism and told the story of the 'Three Little Pigs', or what she called, ‘Why Optimists Don’t Get Any Dinner.’ 
According to Portnoy, the Big Bad Wolf was so sure his ‘I’ll huff and I’ll puff’ routine would be a success, he wasn’t prepared to overcome obstacles - like a house made of bricks. 
“When everything goes wrong,” she said. “Who’s more likely to have a Plan B, the pessimist or the optimist?” 
Portnoy ended her version of the tale with a final message for her peers: “If at first you don’t succeed, try something else.”

HLcomm

Class of ‘11 lauded for years of success in Commack

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Salutatorian <a href="/topics/Thomas_Campbell">Thomas Campbell</a> has some advice for his fellow 278 New Hyde Park Memorial High School graduates, wait until the pizza rolls cool of before you eat them. 
“Those things come out like lava and there is nothing worse than burning yourself on the first bite and ruining the entire experience before it begins,” said <a href="/topics/Thomas_Campbell">Campbell</a> who admitted being more nervous than he expected giving his speech Sunday. “It’s tempting just to jump right in but patience, will and discipline will help you.” 
Though <a href="/topics/Thomas_Campbell">Campbell</a> was not talking literally, he told his fellow graduates to take a step back and look at all the options and choices ahead of them before jumping head first. 
Valedictorian Amanda Lesar gave some other advice, to follow the yellow brick road to your destiny and to enjoy the journey. She said when entering high school they were munchkins. 
“We’re told we can make it out of this world as long as we make it to graduation,” she said. “Our Emerald City.” 
She told her classmates that they cannot run from the future and decisions that they will undoubtedly have to make. 
“And so we traveled through high school and we gained brains and hearts and courage. We melt our witches and confront our demons and we win,” said Lesar. “But when we confront the wizard we become confused, when we peak behind the curtain we find the wizard is just a man.” 
She said the Emerald City is not what they built it up to be. They spent so long imagining what it was that they built it up to be the best thing ever. 
According to Lesar, leaving behind high school is leaving behind the bad and the good. 
“When we are in college and we think about what it was like on that yellow brick road, we can click our heels together and instead of coming back to <a href="/topics/Kansas">Kansas</a> we can come back to New Hyde Park,” she said. “The place where we grew up.”

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New Hyde Park Memorial graduates 278

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Gene W. Youance is proud of his son. 
“I’m just ecstatic because of what I went through with him,” he said at his son’s graduation ceremony. “It was an uphill battle, but being persistent paid off.” 
Youance’s son, Gino, plans to follow in his family’s footsteps and work in health administration. He is set to attend <a href="/topics/Briarcliffe_College">Briarcliffe College</a> in the fall. 
“I wanted to make sure he didn’t fall through the cracks,” Youance said. “This is his first phase of the journey.” 
Youance’s son is just one of 316 students that graduated from Elmont High School. 
The school’s salutatorian, Angelica Maria Malo, reminded her classmates what they all went through for the last four years.&nbsp;She also reminded them to remember the fairytales of their childhood and the lessons that they learned from them. 
“Today, we step out from behind the curtains and enter the world of adulthood,” she said. “A world that you will explore and where you will find your aspirations.” 
“Always take time, like Little Red Riding Hood bring a basket over to your sick grandmother, continue being kind to others and serve your community,” she said. 
“Hold your head up high and remember that success can only be achieved through hard work and perseverance.” 
Photo: Elmont High School graduates Branden Cleveland and Christian Coffy sing their alma mater after receiving their diplomas. (June 26, 2011)

HLelmont

More than 300 graduate from Elmont 

Jubilation and tears of pride marked Saturday’s graduation ceremony at Pierson High School in Sag Harbor as crowds of parents and well wishers gathered at Pierson Hill in to watch 63 seniors receive their diplomas. 
Sag Harbor residents Bill Burford and Margaret Pulkingham had special reason to beam – their sons, Graham and Gabriel Burford, fraternal twins, were valedictorian and salutatorian. 
“They’re both number one to me,” Pulkingham said. “I’m elated.” 
And, added Burford, the secret to raising high-achieving children is simple: “Listen to them. Find out what their interests are and help them do that.” 
Saturday’s commencement ceremony was marked by emotion: The principal’s award was given to graduate Nick Zappola, 17, who “overcame a lot of diversity relating to medical issues,” principal Jeff Nichols said. 
But despite challenges, “he always looks at the bright side,” Nichols said. “He’s taught me a lot.” 
Well-loved former elementary school principal Joan Frisicano, who retired after over 20 years in 2008, was chosen to give the commencement address. 
Frisicano told students to “seize the moment,” and to “go for it,” whatever path they choose to proceed. 
“Don’t accept the words ‘you can’t,’” she said. “We all make mistakes but it would be worse if you didn’t try. Big or small – do something good. Believe in yourself, and never give up.” 
Highlights of the day included a ukelele performance by valedictorian Burford, and the eagerly awaited moment when, at the close of the ceremony, new graduates charged up Pierson Hill, a longstanding tradition, to toss their caps into the air. 
Graduation, said proud mom Nicole Gilbride, whose son Tyler received his diploma, “is bittersweet – sad but exciting.” 
Superintendent of Schools John Grotto said the group, which received thousands of dollars in awards and scholarships, was “very talented. They’re going to go places.” &nbsp;

HLpier

Twins take top honors in Sag Harbor

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Northport High School held its graduation ceremony Saturday -- twice. 
After rain started to fall, the ceremony for the 524 graduating seniors moved from outside on the football to inside the high school’s auditorium and it was divided into two separate ceremonies because of space. 
Superintendent Dr. Marylou McDermott spoke words of encouragement and pride during her welcome speech. 
The graduates "will always be the sons and daughters of the Northport community," McDermott said. 
Salutatorian Samuel Kim then took the stage and told his fellow classmates how proud he is of their accomplishments over the years. 
"We are surrounded by loved ones who help make our dreams come to fruition," Kim said. 
After the students received their diplomas, valedictorian Dylan Stevens brought the ceremony to a close with his speech. 
Stevens gave his classmates encouragement to go far in life and told them, "Many of our talents and ambitions will be recognized outside of the classroom."

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Northport graduation ceremony split into two

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The school district may be struggling on a number of fronts, but Wyandanch Memorial High School's graduation yesterday featured both inspiration and hope.
Geoffrey Canada, who graduated from the school 41 years ago and went on to become a leading education reformer, provided the inspiration.
He told the 99 graduating seniors that the future may seem uncertain -- just as it was for him, when he donned a cap and gown. But the quality education he received at the school, he said, was just the boost he needed to make it to college.
Then he ticked off the names of his teachers at the school, circa 1970. "You don't forget the people who changed your life," he said.
Canada, 59, went on to head a groundbreaking education program in Harlem that's improved the lives of many children. It was featured in the 2010 documentary "Waiting for Superman" as a bright light amid the failures of the public education system.
The hope came from the graduates, who were part of another educational experiment. Gear Up, a partnership between the district and <a href="/topics/Dowling_College">Dowling College</a>, funded with $250,000 a year in federal grants, began working with many of Saturday's graduates when they were in seventh grade.
The students were given the opportunity to take college classes, provided free SAT prep and awarded scholarships. The message: College isn't only possible, it's expected. 
Saturday, 14 Wyandanch students earned advanced Regents degrees, an indicator of how prepared they are for college. That's twice as many as last year and more than the school record of nine set two years ago, according to school officials. 
"We've been with these graduating students the last six years, and we've tried to create a culture of going to college," said Rhoda Miller, director of Student Support Services at Dowling College and head of the high school's Gear Up effort.
Dawn Littles, the school's 18-year-old valedictorian, said the program is invaluable.
"Not everybody gets that support at home," she said. 
She's headed to St. Joseph's College in Patchogue to study psychiatry, already having earned 10 credits in chemistry and paleontology. Of her future, she said, "I think it's going to be pretty bright."
Despite the improvement, the high school has a ways to go. Across Long Island, 50.1 percent of 2010 graduates earned the advanced degree, compared with about 14 percent at Wyandanch. 
Other problems persist: The overall graduation rate at Wyandanch last year was 71 percent, though officials believe it will be slightly higher this year. Budget cuts have taken a toll and there has been turmoil in administration in recent years.
Canada told the students that Wyandanch High still influences him today. Speaking on a stage on the same football field where he once played quarterback, Canada launched into a school cheer, swiveling his hips and clapping.
"We are the Warriors! Mighty, mighty Warriors!" 
Canada said that chant helped him during his meeting with <a href="/topics/Barack_Obama">President Obama</a>.
"The reason I wasn't terrified was because that song was in the back of my head," he told the graduates. "I wasn't terrified because I knew I was a Warrior."

Long Island

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Geoffrey Canada inspires Wyandanch grads

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As the Amityville Memorial High School graduating class of 2011 made their way to their seats Saturday, they were welcomed by friends, family, faculty members and some special guests -- veterans from the Amityville American Legion holding American flags as they passed. 
Amityville’s principal, Scott J. Andrews, was filled with pride and high hopes for bright futures for the 212 graduates. 
"Each and every one of you has left an impression on this community and, therefore, left a part of yourself," Andrews said. 
Following the principal's welcome speech were remarks by the superintendent of schools, John R. Williams, and the salutatorian, Maressa Villa. Villa spoke words of encouragement to her fellow classmates, telling them that they will be opening a new chapter in their lives and they must keep moving forward. 
"We are the future of America and the future depends on every single one of us," she said. 
The final speech was given by the valedictorian, Alexandra Willenbrock, who quoted <a href="/topics/Theodore_Roosevelt">Theodore Roosevelt</a>: "A man who has never gone to school may steal from a freight car, but if he has a university education, he may steal the whole railroad." 
She added, "We're graduating, let's go steal a railroad, let's do something big."

hlAMITY25

Amityville High graduates more than 200

Friendly competition is a great motivator -- just ask fraternal twins Kyle and Brianna Archard, 18, of Patchogue. 
The pair was ranked second and third, respectively, in the 624-person graduating class at Patchogue-Medford High School, which held its commencement Saturday. Kyle earned a GPA of 100.6, while his sister had a GPA of 99.8. 
“We always compete against each other and try to get better grades than one another,” said Kyle. 
Referencing rapper Eminem, Kyle captured the audience with his salutatorian speech. 
“If you had one shot, one moment, would you let it go, or would you grab it? This is your moment, Class of 2011,” he said. 
Kyle and Brianna are both members of the National Honor Society and the academic team. They will both attend SUNY Binghamton in the fall, where Kyle will major in business and Brianna will major in psychology. 
Their mom, Joan Archard, is thrilled with her children’s desire to succeed. 
“I am extremely proud of them,” she said. “They have always impressed me, whether it’s through their volunteering, doing their homework or choosing the right friends.” 
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Twins 2nd, 3rd in Patchogue-Medford senior class

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Teary-eyed mom Karen Starr watched as her 17-year-old identical twin daughters, Jenna and Rachel, received their high school diplomas during Manhasset High School’s commencement Friday night. 
“I have cried at every graduation my girls have had,” Starr said. “They both have a lot of charm and work very hard. I am so proud and I love them so much.” 
Jenna and Rachel have excelled academically, earning spots in the National Honor Society. Rachel plans to attend Brandeis University, while Jenna will go to <a href="/topics/New_York_University">New York University</a>. They have also been members of the Anti-Bias Club, International Club, Green Club and Outpost Club. 
“We feel very accomplished. We found a great place here at Manhasset High School and have learned so much. It feels great to be a part of the Class of 2011,” Rachel said. 
Initially planned as an outdoor event, the ceremony was moved to the gymnasium because of inclement weather. Wearing dark blue caps and gowns, the seniors stepped down from their bleacher seats to receive their diplomas. 
Valedictorian Raymond Luong of Manhasset spoke to the graduating class of 223 students about the importance of savoring the moment. 
“We need to gain perspective when it comes to time and just stop and give our parents a hug. Think about the teachers and classmates you have met because it makes life more fulfilling and gratifying,” he said. &nbsp;

hlMANH25

Graduation twice as nice for Manhasset twins

Banned or not, East Rockaway High School seniors showed up in their caps and gowns Friday evening to have pictures taken with family and friends outside the school. 
Some of the seniors, who were not allowed to participate in the 7 p.m. commencement because of their role in a water balloon fight last week, hovered on the edge of campus while their classmates went into the ceremony. 
"It's a sham," said Peter Dugan, 52, of East Rockaway, as he walked toward the school. Dugan's son wasn't involved in the balloon battle and was allowed to walk, but "if it had happened 10 minutes sooner, he might have been involved." 
About 50 students took part in the June 14 water balloon fight across the street from the school, according to those present. School officials have not said how many students were banned. 
In a statement earlier this week, school officials said two high school administrators, a crossing guard and uninvolved "defenseless" students were hit as they left school, causing safety and traffic concerns. Several students were told to stop and refused, district Superintendent Roseanne Melucci said earlier this week. 
A group of seniors who marched in the ceremony tied black and orange balloons to their graduation tassels and wore them to show their support for their longtime friends. 
"We did it to make a statement, and to represent [our friends]," said Jessica DeRosa, 18, who was allowed to participate. 
According to an earlier written statement from Melucci, seniors who were not permitted to walk will be able to pick up their diplomas next week. 
With Deborah S. Morris

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Balloon-fight seniors show near grad rites

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Malverne High School's top three seniors spoke of hard work and accomplishment at Friday night's commencement after two weeks of controversy over the naming of the Class of 2011's valedictorian. 
Amid the traditional pomp and circumstance, valedictorian Aalique Grahame, salutatorian Sarah St. John and No. 3-ranked Xavier Bernard thanked educators, relatives and fellow students. 
Not one of them mentioned the mix-up that occurred after school officials admitted earlier this month that human error led to the wrong person being named as valedictorian. 
Grahame urged his classmates to work hard "even when it's hard to work." 
"I am standing here today not as valedictorian, but as one of you," he said, urging the crowd in Howard T. Herber Middle School's auditorium to cheer for all graduates. "Today, we've done it." 
Earlier, the district named senior Sarah St. John as valedictorian, but an investigation showed that Grahame, with a 95.42 grade-point average, has the class' highest GPA. St. John's GPA is 95.16. 
The district then named Grahame and St. John as co-valedictorians, but the decision drew much community criticism. The district reversed itself and named Grahame the sole valedictorian and St. John the salutatorian. 
St. John, in her speech, thanked her family and her teachers, quoting the animated television character Dora the Explorer. 
"We did it!" she said, saying members of the class resemble works of art. 
Bernard, who had been named salutatorian when Grahame and St. John briefly were christened co-valedictorians, was offered -- and accepted -- a speaking part at commencement. He lauded Grahame and St. John for their achievements and congratulated the Class of 2011. 
"Today is all about us," he said. "We worked extremely hard to reach our goal."

Nassau

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Malverne High grads talk about hard work

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Diana Benzaquen sat in the front row holding up a bright orange sign for her nephew’s graduation. 
But it didn’t say the usual “Congratulations.” It read: “Don’t tell me what to do and we’ll get along just fine.” 
“That’s his phrase whenever I tell him to do something,” she said with a laugh. 
Benzaquen’s nephew and the rest of the seniors from Plainedge High School took the stage Thursday night at Hofstra University. 
A total of 272 students graduated this year. And according to high school principal Robert Amster’s address, this class has the highest cumulative GPA of any graduating class in the past 10 years. 
Ninety-two percent are receiving Regents diplomas, and 69 percent are receiving Regents diplomas with Advanced Designation. The class also received a total of $3.5 million worth of scholarship money, beating the record high by $1 million. 
But all these achievements, though important to the graduates, were not on their minds. 
“I’m really excited, it’s the closure of one chapter and the opening of a new one,” said Lauren Auletta, 18 of <a href="/topics/North_Massapequa%2C_NY">North Massapequa</a>. 
Auletta is attending <a href="/topics/Nassau_Community_College">Nassau Community College</a> in the fall and hopes to go into medicine. 
“I loved it all,” she said about her high school. “It was a great experience and I wouldn’t be able to pick just one memory.” 
Amster also talked about choices and the future. 
“Don’t make your choices based on reputation or legacy, make your choices that are right, moral, kind and compassionate,” he said. “Because these choices are not legacies, these choices should not be wielded like weapons to shock or hurt or stun.” 
He said he would miss the class of 2011 and hoped that they would all remember his words if nothing else. 
“You are the accumulation of the choices you make,” Amster said. “In a couple of years, the only one that will live with these choices is you.”

HLplain

Plainedge grads have highest cumulative GPA in 10 years

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Dark clouds, gusty winds and the threat of torrential rains looming in the air didn’t stop Connetquot High School’s Class of 2011 from graduating Thursday. 
With red and white caps and gowns blowing in the wind, students proudly walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. 
Speaking in front of the graduating class of 450 students was Valedictorian Madison Pauly, 17, of Oakdale. She talked about the tremendous impact Connetquot High School had on her and her fellow students’ lives. 
“The experience at Connetquot made us students into empathetic and understanding people,” she said. “Being able to interact with so many different people has been wonderful.” 
With a 104.1 GPA at Connetquot, Pauly was the Literary Art Magazine Editor in Chief, National Merit Scholarship Student, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Art Honor Society President and the member of the National Honor Society and National Foreign Language Honor Society. She also volunteers at Saint John Nepomucene in Bohemia. 
Pauly plans to attend Dartmouth University, where she will major in English literature. She aspires to become a newspaper journalist. 
Pauly’s parents, Mary and Steve, couldn’t be happier about their daughter’s academic excellence. 
“Madison has been incredible to raise. Besides being the smartest person I know, she is the nicest,” said her mother. 
Class President Steven Candito brought humor to the ceremony during his speech. 
“A very wise man named Dr. Seuss once said ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened’,” said Candito. 
He also encouraged his fellow students to remain optimistic even during these tough economic times. 
“The class of 2011 has the power to do astonishing things even in a downed economy, because sitting before you are our future leaders.”

HLconn

Connetquot graduates 450 students

As they have been for their last 13 years of schooling, the graduating seniors at Kings Park High School were the center of attention for the doting parents, family members, teachers and administrators who filled the gymnasium. 
The more than 300 seniors created a sea of red and white on the gymnasium floor while spectators filled the bleachers and others watched the ceremony on a TV screen from the school auditorium. 
The strength of the Kings Park community was on full display as the salutatorian, valedictorian, high school principal, board of education president and keynote speaker emphasized the value of family and friends. 
Ishwarya Ananthabhotla, who was graduating second in her class with a weighted GPA of 103.5, said she didn’t expect to get emotional as the final days of high school were upon her. But on the last day of school, a goodbye hug from her favorite teacher reduced her to tears. 
“The relationships with our teachers have been both intimate and friendly,” she said. “So much so that one last fleeting hug was enough to bring me to complete tears.” 
Kings Park High School Principal Lino Bracco urged the students to work hard, but never forget the really important things in life. 
“Be a big success,” he said. “But never let your work get in the way of your family and your friends.” 
Bracco congratulated the class of 2011 on a breadth of achievements. He said 95 percent of the class was headed to college in the fall and about $11 million in scholarship money was handed out among the class this year. 
Class valedictorian Ryan Parigoris, who graduated with a 104.15 GPA and will attend Tufts University in the fall, told his classmates to follow their passions, wherever they may lead. 
“The truth is I haven’t found my passion yet,” he said. “But that’s OK. Even my grandma says she still doesn’t know what she wants to do when she grows up.” 
Parigoris also told his classmates not to worry about an uncertain future. Kings Park graduates really only have two options: Getting out and the Kings Park Curse. 
“The second option is the Kings Park Curse,” he said. “It’s when you think you’re about to get out, but really you end up getting your degree and coming back to Kings Park to be a teacher in the district.”

HLsmith23

Kings Park graduates more than 300

HLkings

A crowd of about 1,000 gathered to celebrate the graduation of Smithtown High School East’s Class of 2011 on Thursday evening. 
Clad in red and white, the more than 400 graduates filed onto the football field to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1.” 
“Rain or shine, this is one of the best days of your life,” said Principal Edwin C. Thompson to the school's newest alumni. His words referred to a stormy gray sky that threatened to rain as it had earlier that afternoon. 
Mary Cahill, the assistant superintendent for instruction and administration, beseeched students to “think before you hit send,” referring to the new trends in social media. 
Cahill also advised the graduates to believe in themselves and maintain their integrity even when it is difficult to do so. She quoted <a href="/topics/Ralph_Waldo_Emerson">Ralph Waldo Emerson</a>, an American poet and essayist, who is believed to have said “self-trust is the first secret to success.” 
The graduation’s honorary speaker, Sanjay Palat, echoed the previous comments and encouraged his fellow classmates to push themselves through the challenges they will face in college. The honorary speaker is elected by the class instead of awarding the title of valedictorian. 
Many students and their relatives in the stands expressed disbelief that the ceremony was held despite the muddy fields and wet bleachers from an earlier storm.&nbsp; 
But Kelli Audley, 18, who plans to attend <a href="/topics/Suffolk_Community_College">Suffolk Community College</a> in the fall, said she wasn’t upset the festivities went on as planned “because I just wanted to get it over with,” she said with a laugh. 
The threat of inclement weather didn’t seem to stop many others like Rachel Hirschfield of Nesconset, who came prepared with an umbrella and dry lawn chair. 
Her son, Eric, “will go to SUNY Plattsburgh,” Hirschfield said&nbsp;proudly.

More than 400 graduate from Smithtown HS East

HLsmith8845

About 1,200 people filled the Tilles Center at the C.W. Post Campus on Thursday for the Great Neck High School South graduation. 
The school band kicked off its nearly seven-minute rendition of "Pomp and Circumstance," serenading more than 350 graduates as they filed onto the stage. 
Salutatorian Samantha Phillips welcomed parents, students and faculty to the ceremony with inspired words from the popular Harry Potter character Albus Dumbledore, headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. 
"Of course it's all in your head Harry, but why on Earth would that mean it's not real," Phillips quoted. 
She advised her peers not to let growing up limit the scope of their imagination when it comes to their futures. Phillips said when she was little she wanted to be a dog. While she outgrew that dream, she won't let her hopes of becoming a veterinarian or a scientist be deemed too far fetched. 
Sarah Sherman, another student speaker, speculated about the future inspired by her high school education. 
"In 20 years, 20 percent of us will be alcoholics, 80 percent will be obese and 10 percent of us will be dead," she said, quoting her health class to a laughing crowd. "In 20 years, 20 percent of us will be alcoholic lawyers, 80 percent will be obese doctors and 10 percent will be accomplished dead people." 
A thunderous applause rang out as each graduate’s name was called as excited parents fought for room to take photos. 
The group of 350 students that have spent the last four years growing up together tossed their caps sore into the air, screaming, shaking hands, hugging and kissing one another as they filed off stage.

Hundreds graduate from Great Neck South

hlGREAT24

2011 high school graduation coverage

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2011 LI high school graduations

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