Amityville High graduates more than 200

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 Theodore Roosevelt: "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."