34 of 95 graduates head to college or university
By:Eric Schwarz
Raritan Valley Community College is the choice of more Manville High School graduates this year than any other college.
The two-year school in Branchburg is attracting at least 25 of Manville’s graduates this year, including Michael Corona and Michael Kelman.
They both plan to study criminal justice. Michael Corona wants to be a police officer or detective.
Michael Kelman is minoring in journalism but is more intent on becoming a police officer because "it’s too hard to get into the (journalism) field."
He’s going to hang out with friends this summer – "nothing illegal" – and work as a golf caddy at Raritan Valley Country Club.
Michael Corona is continuing to work at A&P.
His mother, Fran Corona, called Manville High School "a great school" and agreed with Principal Kathleen W. Monks’ assessment of the Class of 2000 as having a good sense of humor.
"They’re all friends because it’s a small class," Mrs. Corona said. "It’s a very nice community."
The top two students in the class are among 34 going to four-year colleges and universities.
Danielle Delesky and Valerie Esock also cited Manville High School’s size as a positive attribute.
"We love everyone," Valerie said. "Everyone talks and gets along. This year we really made the most of our last year."
Valerie, though, also said she was looking forward to going to a large college, the University of Delaware, saying, "I want to meet new people and get new experiences."
Danielle is going to The College of New Jersey in Ewing to study accounting.
"I wouldn’t be used to going to a college that’s huge," Danielle said.
"I never thought that going to Manville would hold me back," said Danielle, the top student in her class. "It doesn’t matter where you go to high school.
Valerie also said coming from a small school has its responsibilities, because a small group of students participates in many activities.
Valerie is selling pool equipment this summer at National Pools and Spas on Route 206 in Hillsborough and Danielle is an assistant manager at Reading Cinemas in The Marketplace at Manville.
The four-year crew is the largest group, though they are going to 23 schools. Rutgers University, with seven, is the most popular, followed by Kutztown University and Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, each with three.
Eighty-six of the 95 graduates told the high school guidance department of their plans.
Of the 31 students attending community colleges, 25 are going to Raritan Valley, three to Middlesex County, and one each to Mercer, Warren and Sussex counties.
Six students are attending secretarial school, all of them at Katherine Gibbs School.
Five students will attend technical schools, three of them at Somerset County Technical Institute in Bridgewater, and one each at York Technical Institute and DeVry Institute.
Two graduates are going into the Marines, one into the Navy and seven into employment.
Two are moving away and five reported they were undecided.
Among them is Dana Ellis, who faced "a long, tough journey" and many medical problems, said her mother, Beth Hornberg.
"I’m just glad she made it," said Ms. Hornberg.
Dana said she’s going to try cooking and may take a few classes.