Greenport School District

Photos: Greenport’s Class of 2013 graduates

KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | The Class of 2013 at Greenport High School can all exhale as they graduated high school Sunday.
KATHARINE SCHROEDER PHOTO | The Class of 2013 at Greenport High School can all exhale as they graduated high school Sunday.

Greenport High School held its 132nd commencement ceremony in the school auditorium on Sunday afternoon.

Keeping with what has become a beloved tradition, high school principal Leonard Skuggevik delivered a unique commencement address with personal reminiscences of students, presenting them with gag gifts of motor oil, ice packs and even a “Cuteness Award.”

Valedictorian Alex Whittle’s speech, which concluded with his donning a pair of sparkly “2013” glasses, was met with a standing ovation.

In a touching addition to this year’s ceremony, Vietnam veteran John Merrill was awarded an honorary diploma. Mr. Merrill, who was born in Greenport, dropped out of school to join the Marines and fight in the Vietnam War. He was given his diploma through a program called Operation Recognition, which authorizes school districts to grant a high school diploma to any honorably discharged veteran.