Class of 2012 Graduates in Shortened Ceremony on Friday

Afternoon thunderstorms to postpone or push back the graduation ceremony on Friday night.

(Update: Click for photo highlghts of the , and see below how to share your photos.)

However, the skies cleared enough to allow the Class of 2012 to file onto the field on time on for a 6:30 p.m. ceremony that would be cut short by another set of storms.

The ' Buildings and Grounds crew wiped everything down to be ready for the excited friends and family that soon populated the bleachers to watch their sons and daughters turn from to graduates.

The skies stayed ominous, with a breeze blowing across the field.

welcomed everyone to the graduation ceremony following the Class of 2012's entrance to Pomp and Circumstance and the graduating seniors choral performance of the National Anthem.

Giordano drew applause when he informed the crowd the ceremony would be abbreviated due to weather reports calling for more scattered thunderstorms.

Principal's Advice
He congratulated the class, and told them to choose a path in life they love.

"Choose what you love to do, then it'll never be work," the principal said, adding, "Remember in life it's not always about the people with the most credentials, money or awards; it's about the people who love, help and support you...and what people remember the most is how you make them feel."

He continued, "I wish you the happiness of a productive life, the respect of your fellow human beings and the love of your families."

The diplomas were handed out next to the several hundred students that made up this year's class, and just after was supposed to speak, the first two claps of thunder broke out to oohs and laughter from the audience.

Pride of Lindenhurst
The Student Award was then given to , who also presented the class gift to the school: The purchase of a new curtain for the LHS auditorium.

Rain drops after that soon signaled the acceleration of the festivities to the ceremonial moving of the tassel to officially signify graduation. And as the crowd cheered and new grads threw their caps in the air, everyone began filing out quickly.

Giordano concluded the ceremony by noting the speeches of Valedictorian , Salutatorian , Class President Kayla Erb and Student Council President Toniann Riselvato would be posted on the district's website in lieu of their presentation.

(Click to read about the students' second chance to give the speeches.)

Editor's Note: Stay "tuned" to Lindenhurst Patch for more graduation coverage and highlights this weekend. And be sure to your Class of 2012 moments by clicking the upload button here and in this gallery . You could also e-mail barbara.loehr@patch.com, and log onto Lindenhurst Patch's Facebook and Twitter pages.