2013 Grad: 'You've Just Got to Bask in It'

After they turned their tassels and tossed their caps, Ward Melville's Class of 2013 sure had a lot to say about graduation and about high school in general. Here's what they had to say in response to our questions.

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How are you feeling now that you've graduated?
"It feels like a new beginning. My whole life has been in grade school and now I'm starting the rest of my life. It feels fresh." – Taylor Cohen, 17, headed to Oswego State

"Elated. Incredibly excited for the future." – Rob Burmeister, 18, headed to Stony Brook University

"It's a relief. I'm glad it came. I'm excited. It's sad to leave it behind, but it's exciting because I'll have a lot of new experiences that will carry on from the ones I started here." – Paige Doran, 18, headed to Clemson University

"I'm feeling satisfaction, some closure. I'm just really happy to be graduating now and I'm looking forward to the rest of my life." – Chris Hoglo, 18, headed for Suffolk Community College 

"It's bittersweet. Both sad and happy. I'll miss the friends I've gotten close with. But I also want to move on and get to the next step, and achieve my main goal of becoming a doctor." – David Lin, 17, New York University

What was your favorite memory of high school?

"The Senior BBQ. Everyone was signing yearbooks. It was sad." – Lauren Franko, 18, headed to Towson University

"Senior year in general. It was the best year of them all." – Briana Bell, 17, headed to Syracuse University

"My 12th grade history class with Mr. Lapp. He really helped me get through everything." – Jessica Digena, 17, headed for Suffolk Community College and SUNY New Paltz

"I would say when I was in Mr. Buckland's class and he would discuss things that were additional to the curriculum that would provide an experience and a perspective that would greatly augment my education during my AP U.S. History course." – Dominic Ragone, 18, headed to Suffolk Community College
What advice do you have for next year's senior class?

"Live it up. Take risks. Enjoy it. ... You've just got to bask in it." – Khavir Saint-Fort, 18, headed to Manhattan College
"Do work. That's the best thing I can say. Don't wait until the last second." – Eric Feile, 18, headed to Suffolk Community College

"No slacking off. 'Senior-itis' is hard to not catch." – Ryan Catalano, 18, headed for SUNY Delhi