By Chelsea Radler, Staff Writer
TRENTON Families crowded in to the Sun National Bank Center on Wednesday to watch, cheer and cry as 333 students of the Class of 2010 graduated from Hightstown High School.
The audience members called out congratulations and waved to one another, but nothing compared to the din of whistling, cheering and clapping as students in royal blue robes filed onto the floor.
Class President Rosie Yeboah advised her classmates to emulate the determination and innovation of figures in popular culture. She cited the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg; environmentalist and former Vice President Al Gore; and President Barack Obama.
”We must believe in our possibility. We must break down any barriers that confine us,” she said.
Salutatorian Juanqin Wei spoke about the experiences that have changed students since they began high school in 2006, from first kisses to last competitions.
”We have taken the high school experience and made it our own. It provided the window of opportunity and today we will open it,” she said.
Valedictorian Chloe Rothbloom gave a lighthearted but thoughtful speech that reminisced about shared experiences and suggested pointers for the future. In a surprising blend, she quoted both William Shakespeare and pop singer Ke$ha.
”Tonight you can officially join the Facebook group for Hightstown High School alumni,” she began.
”And to think we survived kindergarten without cell phones. We graduated from cassettes to CDs to mp3s before we graduated middle school,” Chloe added.
She advised her classmates to experience events firsthand and avoid getting lost in technology.
”Give many people your kindness, but few your cell phone number. Master technology so you don’t need it. Speak now, text later,” she said.
”All you really needed you learned in kindergarten. And above all,” she said, quoting Polonius in “Hamlet,” “‘to thine own self be true.’”
Hightstown High Principal Alix Arvizu acknowledged the many accomplishments of the students sitting before her.
”You have made it. Tonight is about you,” she said, reflecting on memories of “events that defined your past and will shape your future.”
Ms. Arvizu challenged students to focus on good memories, instead of hard classes or not making a team.
School board President Alice Weisman gave a politically charged speech, citing the bleak economic situation, ongoing wars and the environmental disaster in the Gulf. The popular TV show “Glee,” she said, is a source of optimism and hope in the face of larger troubles.
”The characters have pride, self-respect, enthusiasm for life, and will stand up for what is right. We can all make the “Glee” universe a reality,” she said.
Ms. Weisman encouraged students to be tolerant, avoid apathy and register to vote.
Ron Bolandi, who retired as superintendent in December due to medical issues, returned to see the ceremony and speak to students.
”Life is like a book. We’re now going to start a new chapter,” he said, advising students that they should expect to have more careers than other generations.
”Double major. Diversify yourself. Learn different trades,” he said.
Many families of graduates seemed surprised that four years of high school had already passed.
”It goes so fast,” said Jill Rhodes, sister of graduate Jon.
Because her brother is planning to join the military, she said she wished that graduation had remained in the distant future.
”It’s been a day of reminiscing,” said Valerie Peterson, mother of graduate Jenny.
Ms. Peterson applauded the faculty of Hightstown High School, a school she said Jenny truly enjoyed attending.
”It’s a wonderful place, Hightstown High. And it’s a wonderful thing that your child can enjoy going to school and learning. I’m so excited for her. She’s got so much ahead of her,” said Ms. Peterson, her eyes wide with surprise and excitement that she was sitting at her own daughter’s graduation.
