Hauppauge Seniors Celebrate Graduation

The Hauppauge 2012-13 school year was marked with a superstorm, blizzard and a devastating tragedy just a state away, but on graduation day Friday, the sun was shining and blue skies were a symbol of the students' strength as they move onto the next chapter in their lives.

While grades have gotten the graduates to this point in their young lives, Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss reminded the students to define themselves by their character, and not by their test scores

"I hope that you never think of your accomplishments here in terms of numbers, but rather leave us well prepared with understanding and priciples that cannot be quantified from one to 100," she said.

Also, as the school year came to a close, the head of the school told the students that this past year's difficulties are a taste of possible challenges that await and that she hopes the seniors left high school with not just knowledge, but also compassion.

"Sadly, there will likely hurricanes there will be more tornadoes and likely, there will be more senseless killings where people will need your support, your skills and your kindness. There is no number to quantify empathy," she said.

The superintendent also encouraged the students to challenge the status quo, and find new solutions.

"Mostly, I hope that we taught you that it is not only important to answer the questions in life, but to questions the answers you receive," she said.