Salutatorian Thanks Montauk Fire Department, Community

Among those Thomas Dess thanked in his salutatorian speech during the on Saturday were the members of the .

Dess, 18, is an interior firefighter with Company 1, of which he's very proud. He joined the department in the junior program at 13. "We do all the training that the firemen do, and we help out at the fire department fundraisers," Dess said of being a a junior.

Now, he's joined the ranks of his father, Thomas Dess, a former Montauk Fire District Commissioner.

"It's a way to help my community and give back. The community gives so much and helped me so much," Dess said of the support he's received.

But that's not all this salutorian did between studying.He taught religious education to fourth graders at St. Therese. His mother Cindy Dess is a religion teacher, as well.

Dess is off to College of the Holy Cross, where he hopes to study pre-law and then go onto law school.

He's never shied away from community service -- he completed over 500 hours in high school. He was president of the Century Club, where you have to do 100 hours of community service to join. He was also the captain of the Quiz Bowl academic team.

It's no wonder, he chose to thank his community in his speech.

The following was the speech Dess gave:

Parents, Friends, Faculty, Guests, and my fellow graduates.

I am truly honored to be speaking here today in front of such an incredible and talented group of students, and the people who gave them the much-needed tools to get them where they are today.

Next year we will all be facing major changes whether it be college, a new career, or going off to fight for our country. But it’s not like we are not used to changes. In the four years we have been here, there have been more changes than ever before. We got a new building, new classes, new faculty, and even a new sense of spirit. At the start of our senior year, the student body was suddenly filled with a great vibe of school spirit and community togetherness. We have watched our classes come together in times of happiness, like Homecoming and March Madness,  and times of grief, like the passing of .

Over our four years here, although we faced many changes we faced them together. We started as three classes but gradually became one. Over time it ceased to matter whether someone was from East Hampton, the Springs, or Montauk, my personal favorite. We made friendships that will last lifetimes and learned lessons that will stay with us always, no matter what paths we choose.

We couldn’t have made it to this point today without the people who encouraged and aided us and I would like to take this moment to thank them. First our parents; from the time we were born to this very day our parents have done everything in their power to support us in our goals and clear the way for a prosperous future.

In addition our teachers; during the past four years they have shared their vast knowledge with us which although may seem pointless at the time will prove invaluable down the road; Yes even Mr. Rood’s lessons on sandwiches. I would also like to thank the numerous administrators who have watched over us and guided us over the past four years, especially Mr. Pratt who has been with our class since the beginning and whose dominating presence made the hallways feel eternally safe.

Last but not least, the people of our community. Many times without any personal intentions, individuals in East Hampton and the included communities have provided support and opportunities for the students of this town. I owe a lot to such people, especially the members of the Montauk Fire Department, and I know many of my classmates do as well. They have made our community a safe supportive place for children to develop and prepare for adulthood.

However, the time has finally come for us to leave the safe bubble of East Hampton and face the challenges of the outside world. Whatever is thrown our way we will face confidently, knowing we are prepared to handle anything thanks to good old Bonac Tech. Today each one of us begins our own journey and become members of different classes and teams, but we will always be Bonackers, Class of 2011.

Valete et habete bonam fortunam.