Amityville Memorial High School Class of 2011: A Class with Heart

Families, friends and honored guests welcomed the 196 members of the Amityville Memorial High School (AMHS) Class of 2011 as they marched onto Lou Howard Field, donning the traditional red and white gowns. Cheers from the audience filled the air, complemented by a graceful rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the AMHS Symphonic Band under the direction of Brian Wishin.

Amityville High School Principal Dr. Scott Andrews welcomed all of the family, friends, faculty members and school officials who were present to witness the hard work of the Class of 2011 come to its final fruition. He quickly turned his attention to the graduates in waiting.

“Each and every one of you has left an impression on this school community and therefore, has left a piece of yourself [here],” said Dr. Andrews. “For that generosity, I thank you. I thank you for all of the ways that you have brought this building to life; for all of the loud and silly ways and for all of the refined and dignified ways. You have made this place come alive and have sustained its spirit for four long years. My hope for you is that you will take a bit of this life you have created, a bit of this spirit you have nurtured, and take it with you. Secret it away some place for yourself when you need that extra push, that extra motivation or that extra smile.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Williams advised the Class of 2011 not to settle for a little life, but rather one filled with purpose and meaning with people worthy of life and respect.

“How will the value of your life be measured?” asked Dr. Williams of the class members. “What will matter is not what you bought, but rather what you built. Not what you got, but rather what you gave. What will matter is not your success but your significance. Not what you learned, but what you taught. What will matter is every act of integrity, compassion, courage or sacrifice that led others to want to be like you. What will matter is not your ability, but rather your character. What will matter is how long you are remembered, and by whom and for what. Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance, but of choice. I know that this class has already made many of these life-changing choices. Your record of volunteerism and service to others, to each other and to those less fortunate is well-documented. I know what you have done. I have seen it over the last four years.”

Valedictorian Alexandra Willenbrock thanked all of the teachers, support staff and administrators, as well as parents, siblings and other family members and supporters for preparing the Class of 2011 for this day, reminiscing about four great years at AMHS and the superb education students received. “Nothing will ever compare to the friends that we all made, the laughs that we shared,” said Alexandra, who served as President of the AMHS Chapter of the National Honor Society this past year in addition to achieving the top academic ranking and participating in numerous community service and extracurricular activities.

Salutatorian Maressa Villa, who also exhibited great volunteerism and extensive participation in extracurricular activities to go along with being an excellent scholar, compared life to a box of crayons in her address to the class. “There are times when we will try to color the perfect picture, but there are times when we will color outside of the lines,” said Maressa, who advised her classmates not to let this discourage them. “A perfect picture doesn’t always consist of the same color, or stay within the lines. A perfect picture is within the heart.”

Then, one by one, members of the Class of 2011 approached the dais to receive their diplomas and congratulations from Dr. Andrews, Dr. Williams and Board of Education President Michele Sikhrangkur.

Once every diploma was awarded and the class was confirmed, Dr. Andrews instructed the class to turn their tassels, officially declaring the Class of 2011 graduated. Caps were tossed into the air in celebration. The newest alumni of Amityville High School soon departed, equipped with the skills and values to meet the challenges that await them.