Joy, Pride At Mattituck-Cutchogue's 104th Annual Commencement

MATTITUCK, NY — Blue skies dawned bright Saturday morning as a joyful, proud crowd of parents and loved ones gathered at Mattituck High School for the district's 104th annual high school commencement exercises.

An invocation was given by Stephen Masotti, who said his Class of 2018 was the "most diverse" in the school's history. "The unity of this class shines," he said. During his humor-infused speech, he advised his fellow classmates not to "rush into everything, the way I rushed into this speech. Don't rush things. Take your time. Live in the moment."

Mattituck High School Principal Shawn Petretti proudly listed all that the Class of 2018 has accomplished.

At first, he said, "This class was all about girl power. They were the movers, shakers. . . instigators," including, for the first time, the talented young athletes who won the state championship in girls lacrosse. "But, by the end of junior year, the young men of the Class of 2018 woke up and made their presence known. They were late bloomers, but bloom, they did. The Class of 2018 came together, had fun, worked hard and achieved much."

He commended their class for their "political knowledge and activism." The class, he said, had passion about today's political climate and engaged in spirited, intelligent, and respectful dialogue.

While political times have been challenging, Petretti said, "Based on what I've seen from the Class of 2018, I'm encouraged about our future."

He urged students to use their critical thinking skills and make their own decisions. The political landscape, Petretti said, is nothing new; he referenced George Washington, who spoke about divided political parties. "It's like he had a crystal ball," he said.

"Use your intellect to make decisions," he said, adding that they should not just listen to what they are told. "Continue to be knowledgeable and active. The time has come for you to stop answering questions and start asking them. You have the chance to forge a new direction."

Petretti then quoted Abraham Lincoln, telling graduates to be proud of where they came from and to make the place they came from, proud. "You're always going to be a part of Mattituck," he said.

In a time-honored tradition, the graduating Class of 1993, celebrating its 25th anniversary, was honored.

Dr. Keith W. Harris, 1993 class president, quoting both Thomas Edison and Sylvester Stallone in "Rocky," spoke about the importance of perseverance.

Students earned more than $35,000 in scholarships and awards Wednesday and more than $90,000 at graduation Saturday.

Salutatorian Alexander Bellavia quoted his favorite movie, "Dazed and Confused": "You know, I’d like to quit thinking of the present, like right now, as some minor insignificant preamble to something else.”

So many students go through high school not taking the time to look around and savor the experience, Bellavia said, adding that with all the opportunities and challenges, all the storms and successes, "Every single moment was worth it. This was not just an insignificant preamble to our futures."

Looking ahead, Bellavia said it was time to leave the safety of the shallow end, with parents and educators, who've long been lifeguards, no longer present. "We're on the diving board and it's time to jump in," he said.

Bellavia also quoted Leslie Knope from "Parks and Recreation," who said: "We need to remember what's important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn't matter, but work is third.”

Valedictorian Alexandra Talbot thanked her parents who, she said, taught her to "never look back." When she didn't get a letter of acceptance to her first choice school, she said, she went in to her room sadly. Her father gave her five minutes before he came in and said, "Alexandra, it's time to get over it," she said. That lesson taught her that five minutes is all it should take to leave disappointments behind and look to the future, she said.

Talbot spoke of her fellow students, with whom she's spent 15,600 hours, in Mattituck, a special place with Tractor Day, beach bonfires and small class sizes. "Our experiences are rare in that they belong to us," she said. "The things we are passionate about make us rare. Never let go of what makes you rare, Class of 2018."

Retiring Mattituck-Cutchogue School Superintendent Dr. Anne Smith gave an emotional speech to the students, many of whom she's known from the time she was the district's elementary school principal.

She spoke of the value of connections, of community, and quoted "The Little Prince": "It is only in the heart that one can see rightly, what is essential is invisible to the eye." She added, "As a class, I see you with my heart."

Her voice filled with emotion, she said, "I see warriors and superheroes among us." And then, quoting Wonder Woman, Smith said: "Only love can save the world."

Photos, video by Lisa Finn.