REGIONAL – None of this year's graduates in Ellenville, Pine Bush or the Rondout Valley school districts could match Wallkill High School's Patsy Paribelli for newsworthiness this year, given that no others were 96 when receiving their diplomas this past weekend. Parabelli, like others in Ellenville and other districts before him, had been forced to leave school during the Depression and early parts of World War II, while in his early teens.

State legislation passed in 2000, named Operation Recognition, allows eligible World War II veterans who left before graduation to get a high school diploma. Standing under a bright and sunny sky last Saturday after regional rains had postponed their Friday evening ceremonies, leaders of Rondout Valley's senior class spoke about the two years that they spent learning in a construction zone. The class president and top students addressed a class of 180, which is starkly smaller than last year's group of 230.

Collin Dimler, Rondout Valley valedictorian, celebrated the many accomplishments of the Class of 2012, including the gift of a new reviewing stand over the field where the ceremonies were held. He also reminisced about the dust and chaos of having the school worked on extensively during their time there. "They didn't tell us it would be for two years," he said.

RV Salutatorian Adom Hartell reminded his classmates that they will have an impact, whether it's by action or by choosing not to act. His construction memories included unexpected classroom changes as the work progressed.

Class President Zane Reeder remembered, "being told not to pull the wires down that were hanging from the ceiling, no matter how tempting it was." The capital project which remodeled the high school is looked upon with pride by the officials who shepherded it through. For the class of 2012, it will be remembered as a test of their patience.

Over in Pine Bush on Saturday, Pine Bush High completed graduation with notable efficiency. From the first notes of Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstances" to the moment when hats were hurled into the air, the Class of 2012 enjoyed a picture perfect graduation ceremony. And even better, Principal Aaron Hopmayer noted in his speech that Pine Bush High School has just been recorded as one of the best 2,000 high schools in the nation.

No. 2. Michael Simon gave the "Welcome" address, during which he asked the graduating class to put their left hands on their neighbor's right shoulder. That way, he said, they would all remember that somebody touched them during graduation. No. 1, Victoria Scholl, gave her own remarks.

No. 3. Judith Sweet (remember, they dropped Vals and Sals this year) gave the Honor Graduate Address, noting the "considerable uncertainty" her class faces.

"We're all moderately terrified," Sweet said. "At the jumping off point. Scary... We want deep meaningful lives. But we're ready to move on."

Down the road, the 132nd graduation of 100 Ellenville High School students was moved from the football field to the high school auditorium on Friday night because of the same bad weather that pushed Rondout Valley's ceremonies back a day.

Bagpipers Christopher Benson, Class of 1993, and his brother Scott, Class of 2001, led the students down their alma mater's hallways and into the packed auditorium. Cameras flashed, graduates smiled, and student musicians played "Pomp and Circumstance" as the ceremony began.

High School Principal Anthony DiMarco offered up his congratulations to the class, along with this tongue-in-cheek admonishment: "Please put all your hoodies down and pull up your pants a little bit."

Bilqees Rahman, salutatorian of the Class of 2012, asked graduates to turn to the audience and find family members and friends: "The sacrifices our loved ones went through were not in vain, for here we sit today."

She called to mind a popular phrase — YOLO, for You Only Live Once.

"You have only one chance in this world, so you have to make it worthwhile," she concluded.

Board of Education President Carolyn Kuhlmann reminded students to thank their parents, and quoted Dr. Seuss in her address to the class: "YOU are the guy who'll decide where to go."

Valedictorian Tobey Kass noted that this graduating class was hardworking and kind — they put in 10,178 hours of community service. She thanked DiMarco, and also asked graduates to applaud their families, since "they were our first role models."

Class President E. Preston Bazemore garnered cheers as he approached the podium.

"This might be the last time we see each other," he said. When they began school, he added, "We could not have imagined what destiny has laid out for us today."

Superintendent Lisa Wiles said that each grad was given a copy of Peter Buffett's book, "Life Is What You Make It: Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment." She urged them to find a career they are passionate about and do their best to succeed in it.

DiMarco, Wiles and school board members then handed out diplomas to the grinning graduates as, one by one, they crossed the stage for the last time.

After the hour-and-a-half ceremony, a crush of family and friends swarmed around the newly-minted grads.

One grad wiped away tears as she posed for pictures. Then, with the help of her friends, she pulled off her gold mortarboard.

"Now it's time to party," she said.