Mattituck High School's Class Of 2019 Graduates: Photos

MATTITUCK, NY — Joy and pride were palpable as a crowd of beaming parents, educators and friends turned out to cheer for Mattituck High School's Class of 2019 as they graduated Saturday.

The ceremony began with the National Anthem, led by the senior class members of the Mattituck High School chorus, followed by an invocation by Julie Siefert and remarks by Principal Shawn Petretti.

Petretti said the Class of 2019 was made up of "trailblazers, destined to succeed," and then spoke to the district's generations of families who have called Mattituck High School home. Petretti also said deeply-rooted traditions and rich history hold great meaning.

He then described the many accomplishments realized in a full array of areas including academics, sport, theater, art, leadership, journalism, music, Scouting, NJROTC and more.

"Remember you will forever be a part of the Mattituck High School family," he said.

Dana Lehnert, representing the 25th anniversary Class of 1994, recalled 90s fashion with laughter and then advised students to learn from the mistakes of others. Other advice included important life lessons: "Learn how to laugh at yourself. Take a joke," she said. "Embrace who you were, even if it's not who you are today."

While students are not solely defined by their high school personas, she said, shared history creates forever bonds.

The North Fork, she said, is a unique place. "Remember you can always come home," she said. "This place, this community. . . it's a part of you."

Next, commencement awards — graduates received a total of more than $140,000 in scholarships and honors — were given, followed by an address by salutatorian by Caleb Foley, who joked that he'd procrastinated in writing his speech, turning to Netflix for inspiration.

"All we need to do to continue the epic is to pick up the pen and keep writing," he said. "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."

After the presentation of diplomas and changing of tassels, valedictorian Tyler F. Olsen said he sees similarities in the traditions imbued at Mattituck High School and those he will find at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Despite the fact that he came to the Mattituck-Cutchogue district in sixth grade from Oysterponds, Olsen said he was welcomed warmly. He spoke fondly of traditions including the senior sleepover and Tractor Day, and said Mattituck High School is a "tight-knit place. People care about your development and they let you know. . .It's nice to be part of something bigger than yourself."

As the seniors go out, their whole lives stretched before them, Olsen said: "I can't wait to give back and make our small town proud."

Superintendent of Schools Jill Gierasch also spoke at her first commencement ceremony. She quoted from the book "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World," sharing life lessons and telling students that they should make their beds, that they can change the world, that they should stand up to bullies, and that "power is within us." She also urged the graduates to perform acts of kindness and not be too hard on themselves.

As she wished the Class of 2019 well, Gierasch said one day, "with luck, maybe you will come back to the community, come back to Mattituck — and make it better."