Parents, loved ones, and well wishers packed a SUNY Farmingdale gymnasium on Sunday for the 45th Annual Commencement Exercises for Massapequa's graduating class of 2000.

Armed with portable or makeshift fans, attendants cheered enthusiastically as the graduates were ushered into the unairconditioned George E. Noll Hall to mark the beginning of the graduation ceremony, which was opened with an address from senior co-presidents Kristen Feeley and Kevin Geraghty.

"Nobody can take away the memories of the crazy times we shared over the years," said Feeley to the 484 graduates. "I'm really going to miss you guys."

The Salutatorian Ian Lowe followed with a speech in which he told the graduating class: "...The past has become an old friend and the future is becoming a new one. But to me, the surest way into the future ¬ the surest way to pay respect to the past yet move forward ¬ is to dream. Any dream, any goal or directionto hold on to, to never lose sight of. To never be discouraged or dropped; to be readjusted, to be refined ¬ but never lost."

Principal James J. Maloney then handed out the Massapequa High School Honors Awards. Lowe received three; one as Salutatorian, and two others for excellence in English and Social Studies. Thomas Kutzman received two awards; one as Valedictorian, and another for excellence in Science.

Other award recipients include: Alyson Cavanagh for Mathematics; Rosanna Delia for Foreign Language; Gina Purpura for Business Education; Gina Buttigieg for Home Economics; Ryan Walther for Music; Jennifer Bennet for Technology; Noah Burger for Art; Ryan Walther for Physical Education, boys; Ilana Gazes for Physical Education, girls; Raymond Cole for Athletics, boys; and Stephanie Petruccelli for Athletics, girls.

The Honor Awards recipients should remove their medallions before jumping into a pool, quipped Maloney.

Kutzman followed the awards presentation with his speech, humbled in tone, and taking a moment to thank his mother and sister, and recalling the memory of his late father. "Thanks Mom. Thanks for always being there for me, teaching me to be a good person, and encouraging me to do my best. I couldn't have done this without you," he said. "To my sister, continue to be the inspiring person you have been. Although my dad is no longer with me, I know that somewhere, somehow, he is still watching over me, and I know I can make him proud."

Once the speeches were through, one by one, the graduating class lined up to receive their diplomas. Loud cheers erupted when the names of popular students were called. Parents snapped pictures from the sidelines; grandparents looked on in joy, or complained about the heat.

When the long roster of names approached the end, a thunderous applause filled the gymnasium, which brought families to their feet, and tears to many eyes. Finally the words ¬ Congratulations class of 2000 ¬ were announced, which sent caps flying through the air.