BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer
Graduation ceremonies at the six schools that make up the Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) will take place on the evening of June 20. District administrators expect a total of about 2,496 students to receive diplomas as they close out their high school careers.
“The class of 2005 was forever changed after the horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001,” Superintendent of Schools James Wasser said. “They were forced into the adult world much sooner than they should have been. In doing so, they showed us not only their resilience, but their intelligence, compassion and tolerance. This class will go on to do great things and make the world a better place for mankind.”
At Colts Neck High School, where 320 students are expected to graduate, ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m.
“This was a very bright class and the graduates will be attending some of the finest universities in the country,” Principal R. Wayne McChesney said. “Two students will be attending Princeton and one student will go to the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.”
Wasser and FRHSD Board of Education member Christopher Placitella, of Colts Neck, will distribute the diplomas. It is expected that Wasser’s nephew, Eric LeFante, and Justin Placitella, son of the Colts Neck board member, will be among the graduates.
Freehold High School, Freehold Borough, will hold its graduation ceremonies at 6:30 p.m. At that time 254 students will receive their diplomas.
“The members of the class of 2005 have served as wonderful role models for the rest of the school,” Principal Carol McKee said. “Their energy, enthusiasm and achievements have been admirable.”
McKee said the staff and administration of Freehold High School are confident that the 2005 graduates will do well in their future endeavors.
“We wish them a lifetime of rainbows and sunny skies,” said McKee, who will preside over her final graduation ceremony. Her retirement from the district will be effective July 1.
FRHSD Business Administrator Joan Saylor and school board member Bernice Hammer, of Freehold Borough, will present diplomas to the graduates.
At Freehold Township High School, ceremonies will begin at 6 p.m. when 470 graduating students will march down the aisle to receive their diplomas.
Retired Principal Anthony Procopio will step up to the podium to speak to the graduates. This is the class that started with Procopio’s first year as principal at Freehold Township, just a few days before the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
In keeping with a tradition
at Freehold Township that sees former students return to address the graduates, Yael Hauser, the salutatorian of the class of 2000, will return to speak to the class of 2005.
Administrative Supervisor Ellen Horowitz and school board member Diana Cappiello,
of Englishtown, will distribute diplomas to the graduates.
Howell High School will begin its commencement exercises at 6 p.m. when 427 students will march down the aisle to “Pomp and Circumstance.”
The members of the class of 2005 have received more than $6 million in scholarships for the next four years and more than 90 percent of the seniors will be furthering their education while 10 percent will go directly into the work force.
“Howell High School’s class of 2005 leaves a legacy of new traditions behind as they go forward to forge new ones,” Principal Zina Duerbig said. “They are a hard-working class that knows the true value of community, leadership and service.”
Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Patricia Emmerman and school board members Terry Kraft, of Howell, Ron Lawson, of Howell, and Kathie Lavin, of Farmingdale, will distribute diplomas to members of the class of 2005.
At Manalapan High School, ceremonies will commence at 6 p.m. when 520 students are expected to march down the aisle to receive their diplomas.
“I am extremely proud of this graduating class and the numerous accomplishments and awards they have received,” Principal Terri M. Grey said. “They have excelled in both academics and athletics and brought pride to Manalapan High School. I extend to them my personal congratulations and wish them happiness and success in their future endeavors.”
Diplomas will be distributed by Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Technology Suzanne Koegler and Patricia Horvath, the president of the school board and a resident of Manalapan.
Graduation ceremonies at Marlboro High School will begin at 6 p.m. when an anticipated 505 graduates will march in the processional.
“The class of 2005 has made Marlboro High School a better place for all students,” Principal James Mullevey said. “I’m sure this class will go forward into the world and make a difference in our society.”
Mullevey said the members of the class of 2005 were thrust into the realities of the adult world by the terrorist attack on Sept. 11, 2001. He said living through the period has made the class a strong, close unit.
Assistant Superintendent of Personnel Frank Tanzini and school board member Bonnie Rosenwald, of Marlboro, will distribute diplomas.