The warm afternoon sun did its best but it still could not outshine the seniors of H. Frank Carey High School's Class of 2001, as one of the most talented classes to graduate on Sunday, June 24 in an afternoon filled with nostalgia, warmth, acknowledgement and pride.

Over 900 parents, teachers and friends filled Carey's center courtyard to watch the 217 members of the Class of 2001, a class that has attained $2.6 million in scholarships and has the highest percentage of Regents diplomas earned in school history, graduate.

The afternoon began with a procession of dignitaries to the rostrum followed by the salute to the flag, led by Lea Cohen and Jen Liantonio, vice presidents of the class. After the National Anthem, Bryan Conroy and Jenny Tzakas, co-salutatorians of the class, gave the welcoming address in which Jenny noted that it "will be difficult to imagine a life that doesn't begin with a bell at 8 a.m."

Next, the class president Michael Tortorici gave a promising address and, quoting Thoreau, urged the class to "go confidently in the direction of your dreams."

A host of awards were given out next. The Carey Alumni Association, represented by Ms. Barbara DeSonne, gave Ronny Cohen and Michael Tortorici its coveted award. Next, Carey assistant principal Mr. Norman Barrie gave out the James A. DeSonne Award, named after the school's first principal. This year's award went to Lauren Davis, the class' talented and deserving valedictorian. The John E. London Award was bestowed next upon two gifted individuals: Johanna DeJose and Suzanne DiPasquale.

Convention took a back seat next as space was made to accommodate former Carey Principal Dr. Thomas Dolan, who was invited back to the school. He took the stage to the day's loudest round of applause. Sporting his garish but endearing bright orange Carey blazer, Dr. Dolan reprised his legendary Top Ten list, presenting his "Top Seven Things Learned About This School Since I Left."

A loving and gracious tribute to the people and faces of Carey, this list can be summed up in Dr. Dolan's second item on the list - "We've met the best friends we'll ever know at Carey." A standing ovation followed.

A wonderful and wise tribute to the Class of '01 was offered next by the class' advisor Ms. Melisa Maurici, who spoke affectionately about the bonding that has occurred between herself and the seniors over the past six years.

More awards followed with Michael Tortorici and a tearful Lea Cohen earning the Carey Hall of Fame Awards and Tim Dand winning the Principal's Award.

A special treat was served up next for the attendees as Carey seniors Johanna DeJose, Suzanne DiPasquale and Abhay Kumar sang a beautiful version of What I Did for Love, accompanied by the graduation concert band.

Class valedictorian Lauren Davis then made a rousing speech, encouraging the class to "walk into life ready to face the challenge," while also casting back to remember "how caring the teachers at Carey are."

Next, Principal Dr. Leon Beckerman offered a moving tribute to the class, quoting from Chapin and Emerson, and noting the students' tradition of volunteerism, especially for the Feed the Children charity, and exhorting them to "give back to society what it has given you."

After Dr. Beckerman presented the class, Dr. George Goldstein, superintendent of schools for the Sewanhaka Central High School District, offered his four Profiles of Excellence honors to some of Carey's outstanding seniors - Bryan Conroy, Jason Carnevale, Stephanie Mei and David Yam.

Dr. Goldstein then commented on the dual themes of the community of man and achieving personal greatness. He quoted Mother Theresa and George Bernard Shaw as he noted that "true greatness is found in helping others." Dr. Goldstein further implored that devotion to one's parents and grandparents was one of life necessities, as they "are your truest friends. Whatever we are and whatever we become are the result of those who loved you."

After the presentation of diplomas, with each student coming to the rostrum one-by-one to receive their diplomas and a hug or handshake, the graduation ensemble, featuring Danielle Kelly and Philip Lamour sang, It's Time to Go, a fitting ending to an evening dedicated to the fine balance between nostalgia and change. The students then headed out into a bold and promising future.