The Class of 2005 graduated from Mineola High School on Saturday. As the members go on to college and other endeavors, they leave behind a legacy of success.

Mineola High School Principal Dr. Michael Nagler, who recently was appointed to the position of deputy superintendent, calls the MHS Class of 2005 the nicest group of kids he has ever been around.

One of the most impressive statistics about the Mineola High School Class of 2005 is that 77 percent of graduates are going on to four-year colleges this fall. Last year, 64 percent of the students went on to four-year colleges.

In addition, 87 percent of students graduated with a Regents Diploma. A Regents Diploma constitutes passing five Regents exams: Living Environment, Math A, English, Global History and US History. This is the first year that NY State required that all students must pass the five Regents exams with a 65 or better in order to obtain a Regents diploma.

Also, 41percent of the students achieved an Advanced Regents Diploma. In addition to the requirements for the Regents Diploma, students must pass three more regents exams: Math B, an additional Science, and a second language exam.

Students will be facing even more strict guidelines in the future. Just recently, the State Board of Regents approved moving to 65 as the passing score for the Regents exams.

Previously, if a student scored between a 55 and 64, he or she technically passed the exam. However, such scores would only earn a student a local diploma and not a Regents diploma.

However, at Mineola High School, students are already encouraged to try for Regents diplomas. If a student falls below a 65, he or she is encouraged to take the exam again to earn at least a 65.

The Class of 2005 will be remembered as a class that not only continued upon the recent success at Mineola High School but also built upon it.