Amity Seniors Ready to Fly

Nearly 400 Amity graduates (385 to be exact) received their diplomas Wednesday afternoon in a ceremony in the Amity High School Gymnasium with live feed video shown in several satellite locations in the school.

The joyful occasion was sobered by a moment of silence for Eric Soufrine, the 20-year-old soldier who was killed in Afghanistan on June 14.

Eric’s parents, Donna and Michael Soufrine, visited for the first part of the ceremony that was dedicated to him. His girfriend and his cousin both were among those in the 2011 graduating class.

Addressing the Class of 2011, School Principal Dr. Charles Britton expressed his own parallel with the studens. They all  began their years at Amity four years ago, when they entered as “wide-eyed freshmen” and he entered as a wide-eyed first-year principal. "They are leaving the school having accomplished something extraordinary," he said. "Capable and confident, the Amity graduates are equipped to enter the world and make it a better place," he said. “I have no doubt that you have that ability.”

Amity Supt of Schools, Dr. John Brady, in his speech cited media reports about what pundits call “Generation Me.” He asked, “Are you a generation of slackers?” He warned the students not to look at the world through the “dusty lense of generations past.” Believing in these kinds of characterizations can “set expectations that lead to self-fulfilling prophesies, he warned. Instead, this is the “best educated, best prepared and most innovative class ever,” he said. “We at Amity believe in you."

Three students, Robert "Bobby" Brown spoke as senior class president; Kristina Karabinos was chosed for outstanding accomplishment; and Jequeline Dule for academic acievement. Each addressed the class in his or her own unique way.

Katelyn Wong whom the board mistakenly introduced as the class vice president (that title belongs to graduate Zachary Small) was presented with the coveted Amity Education Award of Distinction.

Patch was in the balcony taking photos and video of the momentous occasion.

Here are some of the (more than 425) photos from the event.

Readers are welcome to post their own photographs and video of the graduation.