East Hampton's Class of 2011 Graduates

There were no bubbles being blown and the beach ball was confiscated pretty quickly. The rain had forced the ceremony indoors, but for East Hampton High School’s Class of 2011, there was fun to be had in a memorable graduation Friday night.

Dr. Linda Berry, presiding over her final graduating class since taking over in January 1995, opted not to go the sentimental route, instead injecting humor and some dancing with her message to her students.

Berry joked about some of the similarities she shares with the class, but in a poignant moment, also mentioned that, “We’ll be leaving East Hampton High School together.”

Berry then invoked a message from the song Price Tag by Jessie J.

“It’s about not worrying about what you have or don’t have, or what you did or didn’t do,” Berry said. “It’s about enjoying the journey and the people along the way.”

If mentioning Jessie J wasn’t enough, and it wasn’t, Berry later dawned flashy sunglasses as music to the song Price Tag started to play. Class president Nathan Abraham came down from the stage and started to dance and many classmates stood up and joined in. Berry, too.

Salutatorian Kayla Perkins had a similar message as Berry.

“The way to be happy is to like yourself,” she said, “and the way to like yourself is to do only things that make you proud.”

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Judith Golden spoke of imagination and what it can bring to the graduates’ life.

Citing several inventions that have improved the quality of life, Golden challenged the students to use their imagination as they go forward on their journey.

“This is a class whose members have already worked hard to make a difference in the lives of others,” Golden said. “Imagine what a difference you can make in the world. The world needs your creativity and imagination.

“Understanding how to use your imagination and putting this knowledge into practice for your own and others benefit will put you on the path to success, satisfaction and happiness. … The contributions you imagine will be worth so much more to you if they contribute to the betterment of the world.”

Valedictorian Hannah Blondin also talked about making a difference, about the selflessness the class has demonstrated and its willingness to help others. She mentioned fundraisers the school, and especially this class, was involved in and the pride they felt when they quickly organized a Winter Carnival to benefit the Haiti relief effort. Between the Carnival and collections at school and events, $5,000 was raised and donated to the Red Cross.

Blondin, who last month was named one of the school’s two scholar athletes (senior Austin Shumbo was the other), then encouraged her classmates to continue along that path of caring.

“As we go into the world and define our individual paths we must continue to motivate and inspire others by example,” she said.

“Being a part of this class and surrounded by these caring individuals has changed my life for the better.”

Abraham talked about the fun he had and how he could not have had a better high school experience, then offered this parting advice.

“Don’t hesitate or allow yourselves to make excuses,” he said. “Just get out and do it. Just get out and do it. You’ll be very, very glad that you did.”

Graduating Class of 2011

Nathan Abraham, Class President

Hannah Blondin, Valedictorian

Kayla Perkins, Salutatorian

Emily Gagliano, Essayists Address

Kailey Adametz, Bryce Annino, Katherine Atkinson

Christopher Baledes, Fabian Becker, Haily Beem, Savannah Begin, Michelle Berkenstock, Rosemary Biegaj, Catherine Bonoff, Kelsey Booth, Christine Boulanger, Joseph Boutillier, Evan Boyce, Tyler Brady, Colleen Butler

Nicholas Campisi, Robert Cannella, Kassandra Cartagena, Nicole Chagnon, Nicole Chambers, Alexander Chiu, Emily Clausi, Nathan Cleaver, Adam Coleman, Allison Coll, Nicholas Costanzo, Kyle Coughlin           

Kaitlyn Dash, Michael Dolde, Mark Doney

Brittney Easter, Krystle Epes, Brian Ewing, Colleen Ewing

Douglas Fellows, Dan Field, Madigan Flannery, Tyler Folkes, Benjamin Fortin, Vanessa Freeman

Tasha Gawkowski, Jeannine Gemma, Alexander Genovese, Kelley Godwin, Heather Gracie, Katelyn Grimshaw, David Grylka

Timothy Hahn, Olivia Halvorson, Briana Hansen, Christopher Dalton Hays, Nora Heidel, Leonard Heroux, Catherine Howard

Alexander Iannone

Matthew Janca

Haley Karpa, Jenna Klemonski

Jason Lambert, Ahryn Lehmann, Levi Lincoln, Bryan Llaser, Jared Lockwood, Zachary L'Hote, Rosalie Lyons

Neiko Magri, Cory Manka, Sarah Markham, Brandon Marselli, Lily Martin, Geoffrey Maynard, Charles Mauri, Erin McKinney, Abby Miner, Olivia Murphy, Seth Myers

Louis Nocera, Elizabeth Nosal, Ryan Nowakowski

Christina O'Brien, Patrick O'Connor, Dylan Olzacki           

Colin Parker, Hillary Parsons, David Peterson, Sarah Pethybridge, Emily Polo, Ashley Porter, Laura Pumphrey

Henry Quinn

Collin Reinhard, Anthony Repoli, William Richards, Brian Roberson, Katherine Robinson, Ryan Rubega, Faryn Russenberger

Kurt Schluntz, Emily Schramm, Heidi Scranton, Philip Selavka, Austin Shumbo, Joshua Simmons-Telep, Rachelle Sirois, Iain Snow, Jennifer Sobolewski, Ryan Springer, Brian St. Louis, Danielle Strzalkowski, Kyle Strong, Jason Swan

Chelsea Tibus, McKeighry Tierney, Heather Trotochaud

Anthony Valenti

Erin Walsh, Benjamin Wilkie, Anthony Williams, Erika Wolf

Chelsea Zadrozny, Mary Zemina, Paula Zimny