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MANSFIELD: Northern seniors graduate

By Jen Samuel and Peter Sclafani, Packet Media Group
  MANSFIELD — It was a night to remember.
   Members of the Class of 2012 donned their caps and gowns, the young men wore gray, the young women wore blue, last Friday, June 12. They sat together for one last time during the Northern Burlington County Regional High School graduation ceremony.
   ”The night was perfect,” said Craig Wigley, principal of the high school, on June 19.
   As the event began, teary-eyed parents and loved ones watched as the senior class marched in the processional to “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the NBC school band.
   One parent’s sign read, “You are a dream.”
   Another sign stated, “We are so proud.”
   Students, dressed in school colors, walked with an air of confidence, happiness and excitement toward their seats.
   The outdoor ceremony, which took place on school grounds, celebrated the graduation of 271 seniors — nearly a quarter of the high school’s student population.
   The Northern Burlington Regional School District Board of Education along with district and high school administration joined with teachers of the senior class to celebrate.
   After a ceremonial introduction by Principal Wigley, Cody Melton, student council treasurer, led the salute to the American flag. The senior class choir members then sang the National Anthem.
   During the ceremony, students listened to classmates who reflected on the past four years spent together as a community.
   Select students then shared parent recognitions. The theme for these speeches this year was heroes, Principal Wigley told the Register News on Tuesday.
   Selena Senachai delivered the student council address. She served as its president her senior year.
   Next, Christopher Haberberger gave the senior address.
   Principal Wigley, who shared recognition of scholarships and awards, followed.
   Superintendent James Sarruda and Board President Paul Tootell also addressed the senior class and their families.
   Agatha Amari, treasurer of the Class of 2012, presented NBC High with the 2012 class gift. Also of note, senior choir members sang “On My Way” by Phil Collins. Victoria Barnes then delivered the graduation address.
   Jacob Wainwright, class president, led his peers in the moving of their tassels.
   The high school band played “Northern Spirit March” by Steve Hodges for the recessional music.
   And now, thirteen graduates will be entering all four branches of the United States military.
   Timothy Cooper, Christian Smith, Fred Young, Torrence Hardin, Jordan McLaughlin and Joseph Duncan Clawson will enter the United States Air Force.
   Trevor Ingram is set to join the United States Marine Corps.
   Ryan Snyder, Caleb Grant and Michael Ernst are entering into the United States Navy.
   Three students will begin serving the military while attending school at Burlington County College. They are Amanda Bosque for the United States Army; Michael Curran for the United States Navy and Ayshya Wright for the United States Air Force.
   Many graduates will attend colleges across the country this fall. Some of the schools the graduates have chosen to attend are Hofstra University; West Virginia University; Richard Stockton College of New Jersey; Rutgers University; University of Delaware; The College of New Jersey; University of Pittsburgh; Rowan University; Mercer County Community College; and Burlington County College — among many other institutions of higher learning.
   In addition to military and college paths being paved ahead for Northern alumni, some graduates will be joining the workforce, according to Principal Wigley
   And although their time at Northern Burlington County Regional High School has come to a close, a new beginning awaits the alumni of NBC’s Class of 2012.
   On Tuesday, Principal Wigley said that the audience was respectful and the use of air horns had been omitted. He added that no beach balls had been on display, either.
   ”This was the best one (that I’ve overseen),” he said of Friday’s graduation.
   Still, Principal Wigley described the highlight of June 15 as happening hours prior to the commencement of NBC’s senior class.
   ”We awarded a special diploma to a boy in the hospital,” he said.
   The principal and five student peers, dressed in their caps and gowns, visited senior Matthew Leedom, a member of the National Honor Society, at Virtua Memorial in Mount Holly the Friday of graduation. Mr. Leedom was released from the hospital on Sunday, two days after graduation, Principal Wigley explained.