THS Graduates 500 at its 50th Commencement [Video]

Under a gray sky (at first), Trumbull High School Principal Robert Tremaglio opened Tuesday night's commencement with an address to the class of 2011.

"We are always at the mercy of mother nature," he said. "You have rolled with the construction project mandates.... You've been wonderfully civil to students and staff."

The class of 2011's times have been "marked by uncertainty and adaptation," he added.

The sun peeked through the clouds as the ceremony continued.

Ted Lovely, Board of Education chairman, said the class joins the ranks of the soldiers from Trumbull who fought for the union 150 years ago in the Civil War, and the class of 1962, which faced its own challenges.

The Civil War soldiers, if they survived, "had to endure the greatest challenges anyone had to face," he said. The class of 1962, which graduated from the school's first building on Madison Avenue, would come to see the Vietnam War, the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, and man landing on the moon.

Today, "We see our nation still at war," he said, facing issues including the economy and the environment.

Schools Supt. Ralph Iassogna said the students faced academic challenges too. "The academic bar has been raised higher than ever," he said.

One percent of the class will be joining the military, two percent the workforce and 94 percent going to college.

"You truly have a solid foundation to cross the bridge to the unknown," he added. "You are the future and the future is bright."

First Selectman Tim Herbst, a 1998 THS graduate, saluted the students joining the military. Two are joining the U.S. Navy; four the U.S. Marines; one is going to West Point; and one is going to the U.S. Coast Guard and another the U.S. Air Force.

"On behalf of a grateful nation, state and town, I thank you for your service and your sacrifice," he said.

Herbst said he graduated in different times, before 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan and the recession."People took for granted the feelings of when times were good," he said.

The class of 2011 will help decide America's fate, Herbst added, quoting Mark Twain: "Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching and live like it's Heaven on Earth."

Mark Maleri, salutatorian, noted that the salutatorian's address is meant to welcome people to the commencement. He said everyone will eventually find the answers they seek.

"Welcome to graduation. Congratulations everyone. It's been a hell of a ride," Maleri said.

Class President Lily Etemad and Valedictorian Sarah E. Tropp both recounted their days at THS, through Facebook and in the hallways.

"We can retrace our memories, relive our past. What is your status update?" Etemad asked.

Tropp cited the school's motto, "A place where special things happen."

"Trumbull High School is a great foundation. What we've learned here got us into college and will get us through it too," she said.