Multimedia: Kenwood High School Graduation

Nearly 400 students graduated as part of the Essex school's 79th commencement exercise, held on Monday at CCBC Essex.

Principal Paul D. Martin recognized each student as he walked across the stage to the cheers of excited friends and family members.

"We are very happy tonight to present this Class of 2011," Martin said, "who for the last four years has worked diligently, genuinely and creatively in order to meet the requirements of the state and in many cases go beyond those expectations in order and prepare themselves for the next step in life."

Among the graduates were salutatorian Justin Ahmed, valedictorian Neha Sastry and class president Katelyn Hernandez. Ahmed offered his classmates some words of advice as he addressed the crowd during the ceremony.

"I've heard people say high school was the best time of their lives or that prom night was the most fun they have ever had, but don't let that be you," Ahmed said. "We should all look back that we had a great time in high school, made lifelong friends and that prom was amazing, but we should not say high school was the best time of our lives.

"Instead, be the person who said finding a cure for cancer was the best time of their life or the one who said the day I deployed to Iraq was the most terrifying, but most rewarding day of my life. Be that person."