If you've ever been to the races (horses – not cars) and seen dozens of thoroughbreds eager to be let out of the gate so they could run wild, then you probably have some idea of what this year's Ellenville High School graduating class was feeling.

On a spectacular Friday evening 113 graduates and all of their friends, family members, teachers and administrators were on hand to celebrate the completion of a thirteen-year odyssey.

The festivities began at 5:30 p.m. when the graduates began arriving in the school's media center for the lineup. Most of that time was spent with the students talking with each other, reminiscing and laughing as they prepared for the 6:30 ceremony.

As the time approached, the nervous energy fueling so much of the graduates' chatter was stifled as a team of teachers, guidance counselors and administrators forced the kids into lines for their procession down to the school's football field.

The graduates were excited. But it seemed the hundreds of people waiting to see them were even more enthusiastic as the crowd assembled on the bleachers buzzed with anticipation to see their special student.

The kids remained somewhat subdued until they reached the fields located behind the school. Seeing the crowd assembled to celebrate them as well as coming within a few hundred feet of their destination caused some of their pent up exuberance to spill out in the form of cries of excitement.

As they made their way to their seats, proud audience members shouted their graduate's name, flashbulbs popped and the band played 'Pomp and Circumstance".

When first year principal Ron Chiasson spoke, he welcomed all of the ceremony's participants and announced that this year's graduation was the first that was being transmitted through the school's radio and television stations.

After Chiasson's opening remarks, salutatorian Erin Grey, valedictorian Caitlin Logan and class president Sarah Hufnagel gave speeches that were each mixes of their memories of teachers, friends and family members who had assisted them during their time at Ellenville. There speeches also offered hopes that the friendships that were made during the graduates' time at Ellenville would not be lost now that that time was over.

As Ms. Grey put it, "Growing up doesn't mean growing apart."

School board president Carolyn Kuhlman also spoke, giving the graduates advice from a variety of sources including Dr. Seuss' "Oh, The Places You'll Go". Ellenville Central School District Superintendent Lisa Wiles praised the students for their many accomplishments and wished them the best in their future endeavors, whether it was to go to college, to enter the workforce or to enter into military service.

Chiasson then returned to the podium and thanked the graduates for, "being role models to the underclassmen." Chiasson went on to explain that the class had set a standard that had helped raise attendance levels and lower disciplinary referrals.

"Your leadership set the tone for many positive things."

Chiasson even thanked the students for helping him learn to "pop it, lock it and drop it and to 'walk it out'", referring to a series of dance moves, some of which Chiasson performed at the podium to a round of cheers.

After the speeches and a musical interlude by the school band, the graduates made their way across the platform as the crowd screamed each student's name and demanded that they hold still for pictures.

When the ceremony concluded, the crowd came down from the spectator stands and made its way on to the field where the graduates were already celebrating with a series of hugs from teachers and administrators.

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