Class of 2003 overcame adversity
By:Mary Ellen Zangara
Eighty-eight seniors became the 46th class to graduate from Manville High School in an indoor ceremony, Friday.
The Class of 2003 finally made it to become alumni despite all the ups and downs that followed them throughout their high school years.
The commencement ceremony had been scheduled outside as it has been for many years, but the weather didn’t cooperate. As a result, commencement exercises were moved inside to the school’s auditorium.
Nonetheless, the inside ceremony turned out well and is certain to become a cherished memory for the graduates.
Entering to the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance," the graduates took their seats up on the stage with all the other dignitaries.
Deacon Henry Fierst of Sacred Heart Church provided the invocation, asking that everyone "remember these graduates in a special way and help them recognize the greatness of the future that lies ahead of them. May their dreams be realized, their hopes fulfilled, your spirit always filled with your love."
Heather Mathieu, treasurer of the senior class, then gave the flag salute, and the national anthem was sung by Leanne Puia, accompanied by Eileen Coppola on piano.
Class President Daniel Erickson gave a welcoming speech, starting with his thanks to the teachers, faculty and parents for helping the students reach this goal.
"Thank you for all the memories that we save shared throughout our years at Manville High School. Remember, this is not ‘goodbye,’ but ‘see you later,’" he said.
The salutatorian’s address was given by Dominka Rozanski.
"We gather in this auditorium today for one purpose to formally say goodbye to one another. We have shared much over these past four years. Not only have we made friendships, we have made bonds.
"We have made it through a great deal together. Hurricane Floyd, the attacks on the World Trade Center, and the war with Iraq to name a few. We have come so far," she said.
Dominka was very emotional during her speech but she continued her address, giving her class encouragement and thanks.
Valedictorian Jessica Erickson began her speech by noting, "No, we are not dreaming, the day has finally arrived where we can end the first chapter of our lives and move on to lives journey."
She thanked the teachers, families and friends for their support of the good and bad and who were always there.
"There have instances where we have had to faced many challenges together as a class," she continued. "In fact, I believe we have seen more in these past four years than any graduating class before us in recent years. Our high school career began with Hurricane Floyd which affected all of us.
"Then came Sept. 11th a great tragedy endured by the entire nation. Followed by the war on terror and the war with Iraq. These events did not divide us but rather brought us closer together.
"But our years were not only filled with tragic events most of our time spent together were filled with laughter and happiness. We have not only grown as a class, but also as friends and these years have given great meaning to our lives," she said.
Leanne Puia sang "I Will Remember You" before Manville High School Principal Dr. Rodney Logan and Superintendent Donald Burkhardt spoke to the students, giving the class advice and congratulations.
Dr. Logan presented the Class of 2003 to Dr. Burkhardt and congratulated them.
"The Webster’s dictionary defines adversity as a state of hardship," Dr. Burkhardt said. "I define adversity as the Class of 2003 having four principals in four years. I define overcoming adversity as the results that these young men and women have achieved."
As the graduates names were read by the Class Vice President Jenna Breslow, the diplomas were presented by Board of Education President Dorothy Bradley. The graduates were congratulated by Dr. Burkhardt and posed for a photograph with Dr. Logan.
The graduates included Joseph Adamick, Christine Andreyko, Bryan Balla, Christopher Basista, Jessica Bauer, Heather Beveridge, Angela Bickar, Keith Bohac, Jenna Breslow, Deanna Brygier, Kristy Bujalski, Thomas Chachaj, Kevin Clarke, Sara Cortelyou, Melissa Cox, David Crespo, Michael Demshock, Jessica Droz, Adrian Dziwak, Tomasz Dziwak, Daniel Erickson, Michael Fazio, Steven Ferenczi, Michael Florek, Kile Galasso, Jonathan Gangwer, Larissa Garczareck, Deena Giles, Renee Giraldi, Jennifer Gonzalez, Christopher Greene, Mark Gregor, Vivian Henao, Amanda Higgins, Daniel Hornsby, Gabriela Hrebikova, Kristin Jones, Kelly Jurewicz, Justin Jurkowski, Kimberly Kaminski, Alysia Kehres, Thomas Kennedy, Paul Kirby, Michael Kloepping, Bryan Knox, Pauline Kohl and Joanna Krawiec.
Also Lisa Lavenia, Charles Lincoln, Scott Lucash, Danielle Mahilo, Justin Maliszewski, Jason Mancini, Heather Mathieu, Mark Maychrich, Marta Maziarz, Eric Miglin, James Noble, Christopher Nordone, Kristen O’Bara, Amy Ortman, Jonathan Pfoutz, Bobbie Phuangthong, James Piorkowski, Kristen Puia, Leanne Puia, David Reed, Jennifer Rodzinak, Michael Roman, Dominka Rozanski, Crystal Ruzbarsky, Michael Rydzy, Jonathan Saladin, Brian Schuler, Christina Schwoerer, Robert Snyder, Tiffany Spinola, Junaid-Uddin Syed, Brian Teryek, James Thomaszfski, Anney Togneri, Steven Toro, Michael Vagi, Lisa Walkoviak, Christopher Wass and Joseph Zuza.
After the diplomas had been handed out, the senior class officers presented Dr. Logan with benches for the front of the school as a class gift. Their class song of "Jaded (These years)" played as some the graduates blew bubbles and tossed beach balls around, while other sat crying very emotional dabbing their tears and hugging each other.
At the end of the ceremony, Student Council Vice President Jessica Droz read a poem that she said represented the graduating class.
"As we look back in the years of time, we will never forget what we left behind," she said. "It was easy to move from place to place, but the memories we shared are very hard to erase. Just as the sun will bring tomorrow, our graduation will bring us sorrow. No matter where we’ll be, we will always remain the Class of 2003."