BY DANIELLE MEDINA
Correspondent
Aruan P. Montes de Oca happily carries his diploma during the Brick Township High School graduation ceremonies June 23. Last Thursday, Brick Township High School (BTHS) unleashed its dragons and now they’re ready to set the world on fire.
With their family and friends gathered at the school’s Keller Memorial Field, 416 seniors became high school graduates at the school’s 2005 commencement exercises, where they received advice, words of wisdom and most importantly, their diplomas.
“Pick a dream, a dream bigger than you,” Principal Dennis M. Filippone urged the students. “And pursue it with all you can muster. Please be people that think you can.”
Samantha E. Clark receives an emotional congratulatory hug from her parents after Brick Township High School’s graduation. During his speech, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Thomas L. Seidenberger bridged the generation gap between himself and the students, by explaining how the world was as uncertain in 1965 as it is now. “This is the class of 9/11. Today it’s al-Qaeda and terrorism, back then it was Vietnam,” Seidenberger said. “Instead of blue states versus red states, it was war protests.”
PHOTOSBY MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Remembering a high school friend who died two days after he arrived in Vietnam, Seidenberger explained how important personal relationships are during times like these.
“You and I may never have a chance to make history,” he said, “but we can work to make our community a better place.”
By all accounts, the students of the class of 2005 are already pros when it comes to giving back to their community, helping to collect money and food for dozens of local charitable organizations. Most notably, the class helped raise $175,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.
The class of 2005 also had 32 members of the National Honor Society and 97 students graduated with honors, meaning that they had a 90 or better average with no failures over four years.
“We’ve already left our mark on BTHS,” said Senior Class Vice President Allison Sweeney.
National Honor Society President Bethany Garner told the soon-to-be graduates that their education has only just begun.
“The saddest day of your life will be the day that you fail to embrace learning,” said Garner.
Valedictorian Elizabeth Connelly encouraged her fellow students to keep a healthy sense of humor, realize the importance of relationships and to be open to change.
“Success is a journey, not a destination,” said Connelly. “This is not the end. It’s one of the many peaks in our journey.”
Prior to the awarding of diplomas, BTHS continued its tradition of honoring veterans who were unable to complete their schooling before being called into active military duty. Korean War veteran Fred Epple and World War II veterans George Skerletts and John D. Thorpe (posthumous) were awarded honorary diplomas and were welcomed into the BTHS class of 2005 by Filippone.