Both Herricks High and New Hyde Park Memorial High School held their graduations on Sunday and although for a time the sky looked threatening the clouds parted, the sun broke through and both schools were able to hold their ceremonies on the football field.

Herricks High graduation started at a new time this year at 11:30 a.m. and all the graduates in the gym were set and ready to go. They started the ceremony traditionally with the Pledge of Allegiance by Erika Herman and then a beautiful solo rendition of the Star Spangled Banner by Amanda Taraska. Jennifer Biegel recited a "Reflective Poem" and Joshua Hackman gave the Salutatorian address.

Joan Keegan delivered her thoughtful keynote speech with her own characteristic flavor of humor.

Superintendent Dr. John Bierwirth gave an inspiring speech followed by the valedictory address by Tejal Kothari and then it was time to hand out the diplomas.

Unfortunately Memorial Principal Loretta Nugent started the Memorial ceremony on a very sad note. She announced that senior Lauren Fredericks, diagnosed with leukemia had lost her valiant fight for life and then read the following statement:

Before we begin our graduation ceremony, I would like to speak to you about one of our seniors. Yesterday I received word that Lauren Fredericks passed away. But I know Lauren is here among us because she would not want to miss any celebration.

Lauren is in our hearts; she is a young woman of great strength who has inspired all of us. Lauren's battle with Hodgkin's disease and leukemia has not been easy but through it all Lauren made us laugh. Lauren saw the world from a different perspective. Maybe that's because she wanted to be a filmmaker and knew that she wanted to edit the bad and replace it with the good. Her special presence, her aura, her spirit are with us today and will remain in our hearts. One of Lauren's special gifts was that she could put her problems aside and help her friends overcome their problems. She taught others to enjoy life, not fear it.

I would like to have a moment of silence to remember this young woman of courage who is once again upstaging us as she did to her fellow actors in Auntie Mame.

Lauren's diploma will be awarded posthumously to her family.

The ceremony then proceeded with an introduction by Student Council President Kristen Depowski and a very insightful valedictory address delivered by Dina Gewaily.

The commencement speaker was Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Goldstein, who will be retiring next year but who has been in the district for 36 years and superintendent for the last 16 years. Dr. Goldstein always delivers a most inspiring speech and this year was no different. At the outset he announced that not only would it be noted on the diplomas that Memorial High was a School of Excellence but also that Sewanhaka Central School District has been named a "District of Excellence," an honor given to only three percent of the nation's schools.

He also noted that this year's graduating class received the most scholarship money of all of the Sewanhaka district high schools totaling $6 million

He also commended Principal Loretta Nugent and assistant principals Michael DeMartino and Douglas Monaghan for the work they have both done in helping to craft a curriculum that has resulted in 70 percent of the class to receive a Regents diploma under the new more stringent guidelines.

He then highlighted, as he always does, some of the most outstanding graduates in the class including:

Student Council President Kristen Depowski. He said she always gives 100 percent to any project that she tackles and has been a leader in the class since she entered the school. She spends countless hours before school, after school and on weekends working on whatever needed to be done to serve her classmates, her school and her community. She plans to attend New York University and study communication. She is a profile in excellence. Next he named David Wong, soft spoken and polite personality who he described as, "New Hyde Park's Best Kept Secret." He is in the Key Club, Inter Cultural Club and started a club called the "Seekers Club." Plus, he was the lead in the school musical and will attend the University of Michigan. He is a profile in excellence and service to others. Madeline Lew was next, whom he described as a "brilliant leader." She has been involved with Big Brother/Big Sister and helped fellow students. Plus she has been instrumental in promoting the Red Cross Club. She interned at National headquarters and made important contributions to this year's Board of Governors Manual. She will attend the School of Sophie Davis School of Bio/Medical Education at City College. Richard Boehmcke was next. Dr. Goldstein said that due to his creative articulation he has had much success as the Key Club President and is a Key Club International Trustee. He has spoken to Key Club conventions around the country and he said,"It is nice to have him as our own Key Club Ambassador." He will attend Arizona State University on a full tuition scholarship, one of only two awarded nationally for distinguished contributions to the Key Club. He is a profile of excellence. John Parisi, described by Dr. Goldstein as a superb athlete, excelling in both football and lacrosse and not once but twice scored five touchdowns in a single game holding his emotions at bay even after burying his coach and beloved mentor John Rainis. He played the game for the man he so admired. He will attend Springfield College. He is an example of excellence and a profile in courage. Danielle Cernese, Dr. Goldstein said is one of New Hyde Park's most exceptional graduates. She graduates with a grade point average of 96.59 percent and ranks 25 in the graduating class. After devoting years to develop her writing and leadership talents she became the features editor of the Chariot and the editor of the New Hyde Park yearbook. She has attained the rank of Gold the highest in Girl Scouting and plans to attend LaSalle University and major in communication.

Dr. Goldstein ended his salute to the graduates by saying, "In addition to these five stories there are 209 others in New Hyde Park's Class of 2001. As superintendent I am proud of each and every one of you."

He went on to say, "May you never forget the value of good friends. I have learned that when I count the number of true friends on my left hand, I never pass my ring finger. May you learn the difference between friends and acquaintances and may that wisdom guide your life."

Dr. Goldstein said, "I have always ended every speech I've given with the words I learned as a child. Whoever we are and whatever we become is determined by those who love us. May your dreams extend as far as your imagination and may you always appreciate the greatest love of all-the love that your father, your mother and your grandparents have given you, from the day you were born to the glorious moment of this commencement of your life. They are your best and most loyal friends. Sometime today I hope that each one of you will give your mom and dad a big hug and let them know that you appreciate how much you have learned during your years at New Hyde Park Memorial High. Give them happiness and love all through your life and don't ever, ever forget them. Always honor your father and mother and God bless the Class of 2001."

After the moving speech by Dr. Goldstein the ceremony proceeded with the presentation of diplomas and a farewell speech by Salutatorian Shaibal Bandyopadhya. Directly after the ceremony a reception was held in the courtyard of the school for the graduates and their guests.