VIDEO: Hasbrouck Heights High School Class of 2011 Graduation Ceremony

These Aviators are ready to soar.

Those words spoken by class of 2011 valedictorian Tiffany Amariuta, during her address, truly expressed the feeling of pride and accomplishment of the entire class Friday night as they walked across the stage to receive their diplomas during the 96^th annual Hasbrouck Heights High School commencement exercises.

Parents, guardians and other family members and representatives of the school community gathered at the Bergen Academies auditorium in nearby Hackensack to watch this class of 102 students move on to their futures in college, technical schools and the military.

Parents cheered as each student’s baby photo appeared on the big screen followed by his or her graduation photo.  On behalf of the teaching staff senior class advisor Erin Schneeweiss told the audience that they have watched these kids grow into mature adults and now they are ready to move on.

Dr. Mark Porto, superintendent of schools, told the class he has been asking the parents of graduates in the younger grades if he should test the students to make sure they are ready to move on to the next level.

But to the class of 2011 he said “what could he say to very smart people” and with that he tore his prepared speech to shreds saying that was the best thing he could do. He proceeded to tell the graduates he wants to hear from them when they get to the places they are headed to. He wants to know what they are studying in school as this knowledge can continue to be shared with their younger brothers and sisters to help them get to the same level the graduates have now reached.

Steve Forte, high school principal, acknowledged Peter O’Hare who preceeded him as high school principal until earlier this year. Forte went on to tell the graduates that he will always be there for them for anything they may need and welcomed them to visit anytime they wish.

A group of graduates sang a rendition of Green Day’s “Time of Your Life” and “For Good” from the musical “Wicked.” Acknowledgements were given to class valedictorian Tiffany Amariuta, salutatorian Samantha Pankiw and Noelle Paredes who received third honors.

The ceremony concluded with a fitting celebratory send-off as the graduates tossed their caps into the air and then broke out beach balls, silly string, blow up flamingo dolls and more as the audience went wild cheering them on in celebration.