White Plains Graduates 116th High School Class

A huge crowd of people waiting patiently inside jam packed Westchester County Center Thursday as the name of the 500-plus students in this year's graduating class was called out one by one—from Abbott to Zumaeta.

As could be expected, the excitement displayed by friends and family members at the end of the ceremony was nearly impossible to contain. Whether it was the sight of balloons wafting aimlessly in the air or smiles bright enough to light up the eastern seaboard, the sense of relief shown by the graduates was palpable.

"I feel proud and nervous for the future," said Hashem Mohamed, who plans to attend the University of Buffalo next year. "I just plan to see what comes and take on every challenge as it comes. I'm going to miss my classmates. It's going to feel weird not seeing them everyday."

Michelle Figueroa, who plans to attend SUNY Albany next year, said she was happy to continue the next chapter of her life. But there are some aspects of high school she will miss.

"I'm going to miss the teachers and the people I've met," Figueroa said.

This year's valedictorian was Evan Ringel and the salutatorian was Lekha Patel.