On Friday, June 24, members of the Islip High School Class of 2011 were celebrated by members of the Board of Education, administration, family, friends, faculty, and invited guests as they officially completed their educational journey through the Islip School District.
   
Wearing purple and white caps and gowns, the students processed into the gymnasium amid congratulatory cheers and flashing camera lights, as the wind ensemble and concert band played Edward Elgar’s traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” Chosen by the seniors as their class song, Billy Joel’s “Movin’ Out,” which was performed by senior choral members, played as a recurring theme throughout the night as numerous speakers offered encouragement, or in the words of Superintendent of Schools Susan Schnebel, “no advice or words of wisdom, but thoughts.”

In addition to Mrs. Schnebel, the Class of 2011 also listened to “thoughts” from Board of Education trustee Mary Dennis, Valedictorian and future Macaulay Honors College student Alda Yuan, Salutatorian Kaitlyn Stewart, who will attend Brandis University, Senior Class Advisor Ted Blanchard, and High School Principal Dr. Eileen Rossman. “On this day, as your principal, I challenge you to challenge yourselves,” remarked Dr. Rossman. “Find your passion and let no one get in your way. Take chances and enlighten those around you because in this world of change, it is you who need to assume leadership to make our world a better place to live in. You are the hope, the dream - the future! Go out there and do something remarkable! Remember that the greatest story you’ll ever tell is your own.”

After members of the Board of Education conferred the last diploma, Dr. Rossman presented the Class of 2011. The elated graduates tossed their caps into the air while the cheers of family and friends could be heard in the background - the Islip High School seniors were “movin’ out.”

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