Schools

Gallery: Hauppauge Graduates Shine With Pride at Commencement

Family, Friends and community members congratulated Hauppauge's Class of 2011 on Sunday.

Hundreds of family and friends packed Hauppauge High School's auditorium Sunday to watch the 271 graduating seniors receive their diplomas and become the Class of 2011.

While there were nostalgic moments, the 2011 graduates were handed down words of wisdom with instructions on how to best use the skills and characteristics they had developed at Hauppauge High School.

Senior Class President Tannaz Zafarnia welcomed parents, family and friends to the graduation, sharing with them how the 2011 graduates has set a new bar for those who followed. She challenged her classmates to continue reaching for the stars quoting Dr. Seuss's "Oh! The Places You'll Go."

Find out what's happening in Hauppaugewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This room is filled with the Hauppauge family," said Ann Macaluso, the Board of Education president. "This is a family you can always come home to."

Superintendent Patricia Sullivan-Kriss emphasized that graduation is the culmination of the student's 13 years of education in Hauppauge Public Schools then cited Oprah Winfrey as a role model for success.

Find out what's happening in Hauppaugewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Remember your skills, place yourself in good situations, keep a positive attitude and remember the joy of giving back. I believe these are the cornerstones of success," the superintendent said.

Valedictorian Lauren McGarry shared how she saw the Class of 2011's diversity will lead them to pursue different passions.

"Doesn't it stand to reason that if you are destined to spend such a large portion of your life working, you must find your passion and pursue it? You must discover what makes you different," she said.

Salutatorian Adam Mildon told his classmates how their high school experiences had helped shape and mold them for good.

"Today is the day you get to choose what you take from high school and what you leave behind you," Mildon said.

Hauppauge resident Paul Borowski was named the Distinguished Alumni of 2011. He emphasized the need for the graduates to be active in their community as they spread out across the world.

"I am encouraging you: Ask not what your community can do for you but what you can do for your community," Borowski said.

He challenged the graduates participate in community service once a month, register to vote and give blood and find other ways to be active in their communities.

Chris Norton, vice president of the senior class, reflected on his four years at Hauppauge HIgh School and how far his class has come.

"We have learned from our mistakes and we have learned from our triumphs...," Norton said. "Whatever path you chose, I am confident we will be the most successful class to graduate Hauppauge High School."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here