Monroe Township High School seniors’ parents talk about pending graduation
By: Bill Greenwood
MONROE For several parents of Monroe Township High School seniors, graduation is a bittersweet moment.
"We’re happy," said Rosalie Antoniello, whose daughter, Gina, graduated this year and will be majoring in sports marketing at the University of Miami this fall. "We’re excited that she’s off on her next journey, but we’re going to miss her very much."
Monroe Township High School’s 310 seniors were set to graduate Thursday at 6 p.m., after The Cranbury Press late afternoon deadline.
Ms. Antoniello said she is proud of her daughter for being able to keep her grades up while taking on so many extracurricular activities. Gina has served as state president of the Distributive Education Clubs of America, or DECA, for the past two years and has been a varsity cheerleader at the high school for four years.
"She’s a terrific kid," Ms. Antoniello said. "She’s doing very well balancing everything."
She said she is confident Gina will adapt well to life away from home.
"She’s ready to be away, to be out of state," Ms. Antoniello said. "She’s already prepared for that."
Ms. Antoniello said she will miss her daughter greatly, especially since Gina is her first child to graduate.
"We’re like sisters," Ms. Antoniello said. "It’s going to be a little difficult for me."
However, she is glad Gina will be attending one of her favorite colleges. Plus, she said there are worse places to go to visit her daughter.
"I will be taking lots of trips to Miami," she said. "So, South Beach, here I come."
For Lois Castrovince whose son, Matthew, also was graduating senior year has been an enjoyable experience. She said she is proud that Matthew ranked within the top 5 percent of his class and enjoyed watching him take part in the various senior activities held throughout the year, like the prom, senior picnic and yearbook signing.
She also was happy to see him accepted into the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, though she had her doubts initially.
"I was a little concerned at first because it is a big school, but when we went back down for the orientation for accepted freshmen, we were fine," she said. "It’s a small school within a large university."
Ms. Castrovince said she and her son got a jump on the college application process by visiting schools early in Matthew’s junior year. She recommended that other parents of underclassmen do the same in order to relieve some of the stress of senior year.
"It takes a lot of the pressure off," she said. "Once senior year starts, you really have to start the application process itself."
She said she would miss Matthew once he heads off to college, but is confident that he will do well on his own.
"He’s pretty independent and responsible," she said. "He’ll be OK."
For Abbe Cocuzza whose son, Matthew, was graduating this is the second time she helped one of her children through their senior year. She said it was easier this time because she knew what was coming.
"You kind of feel like you know a little bit about what to expect," she said. "You’re not going into it blindly."
Ms. Cocuzza said Matthew will be attending the University of Delaware this fall and will major in hotel restaurant management. She said she was happy Matthew was accepted because the school was his first choice.
While she said she would miss Matthew once he leaves for college, Ms. Cocuzza said living in the dorms would help him learn to succeed on his own.
All three parents advised those whose children will be graduating next year to stand by them and support them when they need help dealing with the various challenges and triumphs that await them. However, it’s also important to take time out and enjoy the moment, the parents said.
"Just watch the deadlines, be in touch with the guidance office, stay on top of the grades and enjoy it," Ms. Cocuzza said.

