Hats Off to the Kings Park Class of 2011

In a ceremony filled with more nostalgia and kind words then pomp or circumstance, the senior class of Kings Park High School on Thursday received their diplomas, threw their caps in the air and turned to leave the place that had become home to them for many of their teenage years.

Held in the gymnasium due to the rainy weather, family and friends filled the bleachers to capacity to watch the class of 2011 take their final bow. Others watched the ceremony from the auditorium as it was simulcast to them.

Salutatorian Ishwarya Ananthabhotla in a poised and beautiful speech recounted how she lost a bet with a friend on the last day of school, sure that she would not be the emotional one on what most find to be an emotional day.

Instead she found herself in tears saying goodbye to her teacher and mentor Jane Schoch.

“The relationships with our teachers have been both intimate and friendly,” she said. “So much so that one last fleeting hug was enough to bring me to complete tears.”

High School principal Lino Bracco reminded students about what is really important in life and encouraged them to remember to laugh and not ever take themselves too seriously.

“Be a big success but never let you work become more important that your family and your friends … character doesn’t tell you what you are but who you are,” he said.

Valedictorian Ryan Parigoris added some humor to the evening and told the class that Kings Park graduates only have two options.

“The first option is getting out of here. The second option is the Kings Park Curse. It’s when you think you are about to get out, but really you end up getting your degree and coming back to Kings Park to be a teacher in the district. You probably think it won’t be you but it only happens to the best of us,” he said.

The evening was filled with touching moments: Board of Education President Bill Motherway was honored with presenting his daughter Erin with her degree, rousing applause was given for Christine Hagan who was unable to attend graduation due to her commitment with the United States Air force Academy and the final words spoken Superintendent Susan Agruso, who perhaps may have been the most nostalgic of all.

Recounting the words from Robert Fulgham's classic book All I Really Need to Know I Learned In Kindergarten, Agruso told the class, “When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together. The hands of Kings Park will be here for you whenever you need to grab them. Hold on tight for the ride of your life is just beginning.”