Ceremony for 388 seniors held at Sovereign Bank Arena
By: Courtney Gross
TRENTON A cacophony of laughter, horns and clapping filled the Sovereign Bank Arena as West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South seniors showed their collective spirit one last time.
Just as summer broke from spring Wednesday, so did the 388 seniors. The school’s 31st graduating class, clad in green and gold robes, marched along the ground floor of the arena, located approximately 13 miles from their Clarksville Road home, to receive their diplomas after four years of academic and athletic achievement.
The class speaker, Madeline Weinfield, compared the students’ future to that of the approaching summer months: bright. Although the time has passed swiftly, she added, it is important to pause and reflect on the present.
Madeline, whose home is next to the school in West Windsor, said, "If life were a road for me, it would be Clarksville."
A class so spirited they broke the bleachers at a football game, class officers said, they all have embraced their diversity and become Pirates their school mascot. The class treasurer, Alexa Hoyne, recalled how her classmates broke out into the "Pirate Fight Song" as their plane landed in Philadelphia following the senior trip to Disney World in Florida.
Olga Finkelshteyn agreed with her fellow senior class officers. A former cheerleader at the high school, Olga said her class never lost its enthusiasm.
"Win or lose, we had the most spirit," Olga said. "We don’t just cheer South, we wear South."
As the graduates received their diplomas, their energy was evident. Some wore sunglasses, others bowed or blew kisses toward the large crowd. After the last student had filed off the stage, family, friends and faculty gave them all a standing ovation.
Beyond their spirit, the school’s administration complimented the class’s achievements, in and out of the classroom. Charles D. Rudnick, South’s principal, recited a quote from President Franklin D. Roosevelt to embody the class’s solid preparation for its journey.
"We cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future," Mr. Rudnick said.
Taking the stage one last time, the senior concert choir paid tribute to fellow graduates by singing "Tribute." The lyrics encourage friendship and living for the moment.
"Though the chapter may end and we turn the page, let us sing a tribute to life as friends," the choir sang.
No graduation would be complete without closing words of advice, this year supplied by Superintendent Robert L. Loretan. Mr. Loretan encouraged the departing class to care for one another, because its generation will be entrenched in a turbulent and changing society. He also told the school’s newest alumni to return anytime.
"I hope we’ve not just taught you quadratic equations," Mr. Loretan said. "I hope we’ve taught you a little bit about how to live your life successfully."
The master of ceremonies and class president, Christopher Reil, also gave his fellow students a recommendation.
"Carpe diem," or seize the day, he said.