PORT BYRON - It was day of mixed emotions for the 80 students of the 2006 class of Port Byron's Dana L. West High School who came together one last time to celebrate their graduation, a day they faced with both sadness and joy.

“This was a big school year,” salutatorian Mary Waterman said. “This last week I've walked the halls and thought of all the memories that we've made here and the bonds that we all created that made those memories so great.”

To make that transition into the real world is one that, for some students, has come as a relief.

“It feels great,” Mel Richardson said. “I didn't think this day was ever going to come and it finally did.”

It was a day that marked an important occasion, not only for the students, but for principal Shawn Bissetta as well.

“This is a special time for me as well,” Bissetta said. “You were starting as freshmen when I was starting my first year as principal. I am proud of all of you and the way you represented this school.”

Nick Janusz said his time at Port Byron was well spent, making friendships and learning valuable life lessons that he said he will carry with him wherever he goes.

“My friends helped me a lot,” Janusz said. “It's good to have those people that you know are always going to be there for you all the time. I had a lot of great experiences being around all my coaches and all my friends, I've learned a lot of different things from all of them that has helped me to grow and learn.”

Valedictorian Celia Cyr took the opportunity to read from what has become a staple of graduation: Dr. Seuss' “Oh, The Places You'll Go!”

Cyr said that for her this piece, that talks to the struggles and triumphs that will come in life as it moves from one phase to another, not only had symbolic meaning on graduation day, but more than anything, lessons that everyone could carry with them through their lives.

“We're excited as students,” Cyr said. “To go on to college and start our lives, our parents are excited and sad to see us grow up. But don't think of this as the end but a new beginning. Reading this made me think of this class. All the plans we'll make, all the things we'll do if we put our minds to it and set a goal and I know that we will be successful if we put our minds to it.”

Before sending the graduates out into the world, Port Byron school board president Ben Vitale left them with one last bit of advice.

“It is not so much if something is big or small,” Vitale said. “It is whether something is right or wrong. If you all keep that in mind I know that you will all be a success.”