By Nicole Cosentino, Special Writer
TRENTON — Monroe High School’s 384 seniors tossed their caps at graduation June 22 at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton.
The stadium roared with cheers and applause throughout the event, but the excitement was not contained to just the spectators.
”I’m excited for the future and whatever is to come,” senior and future Rutgers nursing student Victoria Clayton said.
After high school Principal Robert Goodall’s welcome speech, salutatorian Arjav Raol and valedictorian Arthi Suresh addressed the crowd followed by the reflections of senior class advisors Allison Driscoll and Nicole O’Brien.
The students then received their diplomas one by one.
Dr. Kenneth Hamilton, superintendent of schools, Dr. Jeff Corey Gorman, assistant superintendent, and Board of Education President Kathy Kolupanowich shook the hands of each graduate as they crossed the stage and entered the next phase of his or her life.
”I’m just overwhelmed. It’s really awesome,” Salutatorian Arjav Raol said just after graduating. “The past four years have been a blast. I can’t wait to move on to college.”
Arjav added, “The friends that I’ve made and the memories that I’ve made here are amazing, and I wouldn’t have it any other way because I love Monroe. I love my high school, and I can’t wait for the future.”
Dr. Lynn Barberi, principal of Mill Lake Elementary School, attended the ceremony and enjoyed watching her former students.
”It’s so exciting for me to see my former third-grade students as graduates of Monroe High School,” she said.
After the ceremony, Principal Goodall remained on stage.
”We had a wonderful year. We opened up a beautiful new high school. It really was a community event,” Mr. Goodall said. “These kids were our ambassadors as we moved over to the new school, and they did a great job leading our class so I’m very proud of them and wish them all the best. I want them to come back when they’re in town to say hello.”
As soon as the caps were thrown into the air, the floor became a mixture of ecstatic shouts and bittersweet tears as friends, students and teachers embraced one another.
Dr. George Pangalos, a chemistry and engineering teacher, mentioned how proud he was of his students after hugging a tearful graduate.
”It’s an amazing feeling,” Arthi said after graduating. “We’ve been with these same people for 10 years, and at the same time, it’s the beginning of a new part of our lives so it is bittersweet.”
Arthi will attend Columbia University in New York City in the fall as an engineering major.

