Class of 2012 Graduates Deer Park High School

The Deer Park High School class of 2012 tossed its caps in the air Friday evening in the school's 49th commencement ceremony.

Cheers and excitement filled the gym, as well as the auditorium where some families watched the commencement ceremony from a live video feed.

Before the students moved their tassels from right to left, Principal James Cummings left the 367 graduates a few tokens of advice.

"As you leave Deer Park High School, know that you have been prepared to face challenges and carve out your own future. You have learned how to think critically, solve problems, work collaboratively, give back to your community and most of importantly, you have learned what it takes to be successful. So now it is time to dream big, set lofty goals, make a good plan and go after your future," he said.

Cummings has played a special role to the class of 2012. The administrator has served as the students' principal since their middle school days.

"I've known you guys for seven years and I couldn't be more proud standing here today. It has been an absolute honor and privledge to have been your principal for the last six years," he said.

The graduates were filled with excitement and jitters as they posed for pictures with family and friends, knowing they would be leaving behind the school and people they've known to embark on a new challenge.

"Think of your diploma as a passport to embark on the adventure that lies ahead," added valedictorian Kevin Tresselt, who will be attending Princeton University in the fall said.

The Deer Park class had a graduation rate of more than 90 percent, with 93 percent of those graduates receiving regents diplomas and about half of them earning regents diplomas with advanced designation, the highest academic honor given by New York State.

While most of the graduates will attend college in the fall, three seniors will serve their country in the military. Victer Rodriguez and Michael DePalo will join the U.S. Air Force and John Votta will join the U.S. Marines.