The 129th Graduating Class from Ellenville High School held their ceremony indoors, in the auditorium, as this summer's already notorious weather continued to provide even more rainfall.

Being indoors did nothing to dampen the high spirits of the Class of 2009, who undertook the serious business of graduating with good humor and resilience.

Principal Mike Rydell gave the first Ellenville High School Graduation "Welcome" address of his Ellenville-career and seemed completely at home with the proceedings. John McCabe gave the Salutatory address, Co-Presidents of the Class, Breanna Doolittle and Jesse Friedman-Warner, provided their own speeches, and Matthew Rogers gave the Valedictory Address. The symphonic band played highlights from the soundtrack of "Pirates of the Caribbean."

Congratulations Class of 2009! Ellenville High School Scholarships and Awards Better Late Than Never: 83-Year-Old Bob Constant Walks with EHS Class of '09

Carolyn Kuhlmann, President of the Board of Education, offered her congratulations to the Class of 2009, and Lisa Wiles, Superintendant of Schools, offered a story about how parachutists' training helped them survive. A parachutist discovered to his horror, as he fell towards the ground, that his 'chute had not opened properly. Then he remembered his training, where they'd been told to move their legs like bicyclists to untwist a tangled 'chute. He did this and his 'chute opened and he survived. The lesson, said Wiles, was to remember your training, your education, and no matter what the situation is that you face, "You can always find a way to get it done."

On the subject of "always," there was a special award for Michelle Duckett for perfect attendance during her time in high school.

And then, of course, there was Robert Constant, originally from the Ellenville High School Graduating Class of 1943, who finally got his High School diploma. Back then, during World War II, he went from school to the USS Alaska and a 20 mm cannon without getting the chance to attend graduation. In what was sure to become a defining moment for both Constant and the rest of the Class of 2009, the special guest of the ceremony received a standing ovation from everyone in the auditorium, putting a wonderful capstone on a memorable night.

Congratulations to the entire Class of 2009!