As the graduates gathered at the Herricks High school auditorium, with a sense of excitement and anticipation, the sky was beautiful, the sun was out and all was right with the world.

The administrators and teachers led the way down the driveway to the football field all decked out with white chairs for the grads and a semi-circle of a dais for the dignitaries. The parents were all seated in the stands with both their digital and video cameras poised.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Zohra Rouzani and the Star Spangled Banner was sung by the marvelous voice of Vincent Festa.

Herricks Principal Dr. Jane Modoono offered her congratulations to the grads, followed by co-president of the PTSA Hilarie Stillman. School Board President Peter Grisafi was next with his entertaining words, followed by a few very brief words by Herricks Superintendent Dr. Jack Bierwirth, who began to become extremely concerned, because the beautiful sunny sky had quickly turned to an ominous gray.

Salutatorian Vidya Viswanathan's really inspiring and insightful speech was followed by one from Student Government President Sweta Patel. And, then, the heavens opened up, the thunder started to boom and principal Modoono moved the program quickly to the presentation of the diplomas. Even though it was pouring the students were good sports and stepped up to receive their diplomas in their soaking caps and gowns. Most of their parents remained in the stands, albeit quite a few guests headed for their cars.

However, by the time the diplomas were all given out the rain miraculously lessened to an almost stop and the program continued and valedictorian Matthew Seigerman was able to deliver his address as were guest speakers Chirag Gheewala and Hannah Jan, followed by an address from Karim Gangji, a physics teacher at the high school.

Making the Herricks Graduation of 2007 certainly one of the soggiest, but one of most memorable graduations.

The following are a few excerpts from Herricks School Board President Peter Grisafi's speech:

"Three years ago I stood here and told you how I thought I was the luckiest dad in the world because I was able to deliver my speech in the year my son Jason was graduating. Well, I thought wrong. Now, I can truly say I am the luckiest dad in the world because I also get to deliver my speech when my young son Peter is graduating.

"When addressing the graduating class I always like to reminisce. So, let me take you back to the year our daughters and sons were entering Herricks, it might have been kindergarten or first grade.

"The year is around 1995. The movie of the year is Braveheart, record of the year is All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow. On TV is the Drew Carey Show, ER and Friends, But you graduates were probably watching shows like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Rug Rats, Doug and Rocko's Modern Life, who could forget Mr. and Mrs. Bighead?

"DVD, an optical disk storage media format is announced and the term 'surfing the net' is adopted.

"OK, now that we have set the mood, Shakepeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players...I simply like to say life is a game. Don't get fooled, this game is much harder than any other you will play.

"That's right harder than Halo 3 for you Xbox'ers, harder than Final Fantasy for you Play Station'ers and harder than Zelds for you Ninendo'ees.

"What makes this game so hard?

"Because the rules of the game are different for everyone. Different doesn't mean what works for you won't work for me. That would be too easy. It does mean what works for you may or may not work for me. You must go through life finding out what your rules are.

"You may be thinking, 'finding out what my rules are? How am I going to do that?'

"Well, you have already started doing that.

"You have learned all the rules that got you here today.

"You have been mentored by the best teachers, administrators, coaches and, of course parents, the world has to offer.

"So, learn your rules. Use your rules. Master your rules. Then make your rules work for you.

"Make them work for me? You wonder?

"You were told to not wear shorts or sneakers and not to bring any beachballs. I am willing to bet there is a least one senior with shorts and sneakers on and other that snuck in a beachball.

"Remember, master the rules, make them work for you.

"What is the point of this game?

"As is the point of any game we play...to have fun. Always remember to have fun in life.

"On behalf of the board of education, I would like to congratulate the Class of 2007 and wish you all the love, peace and happiness life has to offer."

New Hyde Park Memorial's High School graduation was memorable, before it even started, due to the fact that for the first time in the 50-year history of the school, the graduation was held at the Hofstra David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.

The day was outstandingly beautiful as the graduates all gathered into a room, on one side of the stadium floor with the teachers and administrators on the other side of the stadium.

When they all received the signal they went to each side of the stadium floor and then crossed over and came down the center aisle of the stadium floor together.

It, of course, was a much different venue than the traditional football field at New Hyde Park Memorial High, but it was air-conditioned and there were no anxious "what if it rains" feelings. As an added bonus, the four-sided "jumbo-tron" that was suspended over the stadium floor, flashed pictures of the speakers and the graduates as they received their diplomas.

However, there was one minor prank, at the start of the presentation of the graduates when the diplomas were being handed out, there suddenly appeared three or four very colorful beachballs, thrown into the air. They were quickly confiscated by the security guards at the stadium and everyone settled down, prompting New Hyde Park Memorial Principal Loretta Nugent to comment, "I guess you're ready for the beach!"

The guest speaker was Superintendent Warren Meierdiercks and his speech was inspirational to the grads. The following are excerpts from that speech.

Meierdiercks said, "As you know, commencement is a celebration of a new beginning. From this day forward, what you have accomplished here represents the path you will view when you look over your shoulders. It is view that will travel with you for the rest of your lives, enabling you to remember those special friends that you have made at New Hyde Park; those wonderful teachers, coaches, advisors and counselors who enabled you to learn what it takes to succeed and find pride in a job well done; those administrators and counselors ensured that the school you attended would provide you with the education you need to continue on your journey.

"And let us not forget the view you have of your grandparents, parents and other loving family members and friends who have cared for you during all of your years in school, knowing the value of an education in today's world. Because your success is their success as well, I invite you to stand now and show your appreciation for them through your applause."

At this point all the graduates stood and turned toward the members of their family in the audience and gave them a big standing applause.

Meierdierks continued, "You will remember your valedictorian Nicole Becker and your salutatorian Lay Acharya. Perhaps you will see Patricia Vollmer who attended the Academy of Finance with you and now plans to attend West Point. You may have collaborated with Joseph Mercadante on a Key Club project or perhaps enjoyed the time you shared with Andrew Clavin. Perhaps these are the Gladiators you will see when you look back on your days at New Hyde Park Memorial.

"Like each of the individuals in your senior class, they, to borrow the theme of this year's Lance are 'simply irreplaceable.' So many moments in your senior year are momentous in this school's history, as well. New Hyde Park Memorial took part in the Hofstra Band Festival and the St. Patrick's Day Parade. In addition, special programs invited students to Celebrate Our Diversity and take part in a disability awareness week entitled, 'A Special Difference.'

"And, I am sure for many of you, your senior prom at Harbor Links in Port Washington was the culminating activity of your senior year. Let us not forget that you, all 249 of you, are the first graduating class to celebrate your commencement at Hofstra University. So many good times, so much of your lives have been shared with those who have joined you here today.

"In this time of great joy, we also gather in hope. We hope that continuing our studies at colleges and universities will bring us new experiences, friends and opportunities for achievement. President John F. Kennedy once said, 'Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation.'

"This brings me to the most important part of my message today. Mother Teresa has said, 'To keep a lamp burning you have to keep putting oil in it.' While at New Hyde Park your parents, families, guardians and teachers have dedicated themselves to making sure you have every opportunity possible to experience success.

"Now you will need to call success to you; you will need to 'put oil in the lamp.' You will need to drive yourselves to work hard, committing the time and energy needed along the way.

"Make all of us proud. Look over your shoulder, you'll always find us there remembering this commencement. They walk forward with confidence and hope. Make your dreams and our dreams come true."

After the ceremony the graduates all met in front of the sports complex to greet family and friends.