Kings Park graduates more than 300

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.”