Family and friends packed the tent behind Hampton Bays High School on Saturday, June 25, to watch the commencement exercises for the 116 members of the Class of 2011.

Highlights of the ceremony, which began at 11 a.m., included remarks by Commencement Speaker Dr. Shaun L. McKay, President of Suffolk County Community College; a special diploma presentation to the parents of Joey Marino, who was killed by a drunk driver in 2009; and stirring speeches by Hampton Bays Superintendent Lars Clemensen, Valedictorian Pawel Golyski and Salutatorian Deborah Carlson.

Dr. McKay told the members of the graduating class that the graduation milestone was only the beginning of what should be a lifetime of achievements. He admonished the students to live a life of integrity and to be true to themselves.

“Do not allow someone else to define what you will be today and tomorrow,” he said.

Mr. Clemensen, who presided over his first graduation as Superintendent, spoke of how proud he was of this particular class of accomplished students. But he joked that he had one last task for them.

“On this last day of high school, I’m assigning you homework,” he said. “Commit to the idea of growing and serving, always.”