9160cf44390cbe9ee0e5cf6bae89e9fd.jpg

TRENTON: Hightstown High seniors graduate

‘May the odds be ever in your favor’

By Amy Batista, Special Writer
   TRENTON — A sea of blue graduation caps went flying during the 98th Hightstown High School commencement ceremony at the Sun Bank Nation Center on June 14.
   More than 300 seniors became alumni of Hightstown High School.
   ”In September 2008, this class arrived at Hightstown High School for freshman orientation accompanied by a reputation for being challenging,” said Alix Arvizu, principal.
   She added, “Boy, have you lived up to your reputation. Collectively, you have challenged our minds, our hearts, and, yes, sometimes you have challenged our patience. But because of the many challenges that you have presented for us to meet — you have motivated us as educators, administrators and parents to look for and provide the necessary tools for success.”
   Proud family members and friends from near and far, including India and Morocco, were in attendance to see loved ones walk across the stage to receive diplomas.
   Afterward, it was a time to take pictures and celebrate the joyous occasion.
   ”I hope it was worth it,” said Edward Forsthoffer, superintendent. “It started in kindergarten over 4,700 days ago, and now years of hard work have brought you to this, the next chapter in your life.”
   He said, “As you move onto your next endeavor . . . go instead to the wisdom path and leave a trail.”
   He then continued, “I am sure you will do great things and will continue to make us proud.”
   ”Sometimes the path of success is just a made of luck, being in the right place at the right time,” said valedictorian Ankita Naraparaju, of East Windsor, during her commencement speech. “The path to success is not straight. There are no arrows pointing you in the right direction. There is no yellow brick road to follow. The path to success is an uncertain one.”
   She challenged the Class of 2012 “to put your whole heart into anything that you do.”
   Ankita told the Herald a day later, on June 15, “It seems surreal . . . These past few years have gone by so fast.”
   As valedictorian, Ankita was the first senior to receive her diploma.
   ”All I kept thinking was, ‘Don’t trip,’” she said. “I had my French teacher, Madame Romans, give me my diploma. I was really excited. Once I got my diploma, I just couldn’t believe that high school was over.”
   Ankita reflected on the moment she found out she was named valedictorian.
   ”The race in our class was extremely close,” she said. “The top three (students were) Soham Rege, Ashwin Narayan, and myself. Because our GPAs were so close, it could have gone either way. When they announced my name at Senior Awards for valedictorian, I was elated. Everyone in the auditorium and on stage stood up and gave me a standing ovation. It was such a rewarding experience and an honor.”
   At the June 14 graduation ceremony, salutatorian Soham Rege, of Hightstown, said. “Today is the day we graduate after 12 long hard years.”
   Soham said, “Class of 2012, I am truly impressed with all that we have done.”
   His reflections on some of his HHS memories had students laughing.
   ”These memories are more important to me right now, but these should not be the most important memories of our lives,” Soham said. “This is just the beginning. This is just the start of our lives.”
   For senior Ashley Anderson, of Hightstown, graduation brought a sense of freedom.
   ”Finally, walking up and across that stage in the arena and receiving my diploma felt absolutely liberating,” Ashley said. “I cannot even begin to explain how happy and proud and accomplished I felt after I sat back down in my seat. It was a great feeling. Once I walked across, I wanted to get back up and do it again.”
   ”Pure joy and pride,” said parent Selena Bibens of her feelings after graduation for her daughter, Ashley.
   She is a Hightstown Borough Council member.
   Said Colleen Murphy, class president, “The pop culture surrounding us each day has definitely helped shape us. New jokes are made and more references are mentioned, but what has shaped us the most as a class is each other.”
   She noted a certain type of character Hightstown High School has and said it will remain a part of the graduating seniors for the rest of their lives.
   ”We’re respectful of others, but know when to make that good joke,” Colleen said. “We show sportsmanship, but make other schools fear us on the track, field, pool or court. We’re humble, but know how to have fun. The diversity of the student body, the long list of clubs, the challenging courses, the unforgettable teachers, the dedicated coaches and the competitive teams all help add to that HHS swag that we have worked hard to build.”
   She said, “We will be representing Hightstown High at 85 colleges in 20 states and two countries. Some of us will be going straight into the workforce. One of us (is) even taking over the family farm.”
   Noteworthy, “Ten of you will be helping to protect our country by going in to the Armed Forces. Thank you for your service,” said Colleen said, who is a resident of East Windsor.
   At the conclusion of her speech, Colleen said, “So, Class of 2012, congratulations and ‘may the odds be ever in your favor,’” in reference to the popular book and film, “The Hunger Games.”
   Said Councilwoman Bibens’ daughter, Ashley Anderson, “We all came together as a family and all finished as a family. And we will always be one. I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to end my school years with. They are all great in their own way. I love my class.”
   Councilwoman Bibens said, “The Senior Awards ceremony has to be the best function I have attended. By far, the accomplishments of these students is nothing less than extraordinary.”
   She said she was looking forward to four more years as her daughter, Melissa, is entering into her freshman year at Hightstown High School this September.”
   Older daughter Ashley is leaving for Navy boot camp Nov. 5.
   Graduate John Jackson is set to enter the Marine Corps boot camp July 23.
   John said, “I kept wishing for school to be over, but when I finally made it, the only thing I could think was, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I’m actually leaving.’”
   He continued, “I’m going to miss my friends.”
   The humble Hightstown resident said, “I was extremely caught off guard when Soham Rege mentioned me in his speech to the crowd of parents, graduates, friends and family. It was honestly one of the greatest moments in my life. Not because I love attention, but because I never knew I inspired people. It means a lot to me.”