Allentown class receives its diplomas
by David Kilby, Special Writer
TRENTON — The 88th commencement ceremony of Allentown High School contained a few elements of surprise; but all things considered, the string of surprising events seemed to be characteristic of either the overall eccentric class of 2013 or the series of unexpected misfortunes that occurred their senior year.
The renowned Allentown marching band opened the graduation ceremony with “Pomp and Circumstance” in the orchestra shell of the Patriot Theater at the Trenton War Memorial June 21.
Following the theme “The World Will Know Our Names,” the graduation speakers emphasized the accomplishments and ambitions of the high school’s Class of 2013.
Class president Alexis Fisher-Kennedy addressed the class, relatives and teachers, saying, “Friends have been made and lost, trends have come and gone, the cookies in the cafeteria have slowly decreased in size and sugar content, and the stresses of college applications and acceptances have been completed.”
Ms. Fisher-Kennedy compared the memories of high school to sand sifting through your fingers.
”Most of the particles fall to the ground and disappear to the beach, while others stay in your palms and fingernails. And you continue to be fondly reminded at unexpected moments.”
She mentioned the many accomplishments of her class, such as how the student council raised more money than any other student council in New Jersey, over $10,000; and how the football team won its division and went to the semi-finals for the first time in Allentown history this past year.
She also shared how her class has shown great compassion; for example she mentioned how graduate Genevieve Finn founded the nonprofit organization Genevieve’s Crutches.
Salutatorian Jasmine Ragoowansi said there are so many things she will remember vividly about high school, such as her freshman homeroom class that in the beginning had students from Allentown on one side and those from Millstone on the other.
”At first this division seemed permanent, but after only a week everyone began to mingle,” Ms. Ragoowansi reminisced.
She said four years ago they didn’t really know what it meant to be a senior.
”We simply wanted the title, the prestige, the privileges and of course the parking spots,” she said. “However, as we progressed our way through high school, we began to realize the true responsibility that is associated with the title ‘senior.’”
As she explained how her class showed gratitude and proved its generosity time and again, she also said that her fellow classmates stand together.
She then asked all of the seniors to stand up and shout their names, saying “because you all deserve to be known.”
The senior choir then sang “In My Life” by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, led by Senior Choir Director Megan Wolff.
Then a group of seniors caught the audience a bit off guard as they rapped “Hall of Fame” by The Script.
Offering another unexpected showcase, Principal Constance Embley presented a video, projected onto a large projector over the stage, wherein dozens of students gave thanks to their parents, siblings, teachers and coaches for their influence over the past four years.
After the video was finished Ms. Embley said the teachers, students and parents worked together for one goal: the education both academically and emotionally of AHS students.
Valedictorian Ali Haider Ismail said it was necessary for him and his classmates to explore a “myriad of seemingly unnecessary subjects to find what they were truly passionate for.”
He said he and his classmates formed their identities in the past four years of high school.
”You will not remember the person next to you for how much they achieved, but you will remember their identity,” he said. “This is the community where we forged who we are.”
Lt. Col. Stephen Alexander, an Upper Freehold Township Committeeman, then came to the podium to present military service awards to the 11 seniors who will be going into the military upon graduating.
Those graduates are: Gianmarco Campanella, Marines; Joseph Conoscenti, Marines; Nicholas Singler, Marines; Tyler Weir, Marines; Marc Kwietniak, Air Force; Jordan Shropshire, Air Force; Jake Koch, Army; Sara Paldino, Navy; Ahjanae Richardson, Navy; Katrina Greeley, Navy; and Daniel Jonas, U.S. Naval Academy.
Lt. Col. Alexander said these young men and women will be the ones people rely upon, adding “Because of you we will have the luxury of sleeping peacefully at night.”
When Dr. Richard Fitzpatrick, superintendent of the Upper Freehold Regional School District, came up for his address, he turned the podium toward the students, saying, “My message is really for this class.”
He reminded the students of the many recent tragedies like Hurricane Sandy and the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut.
”This war memorial was built for those who went to battle to keep you safe, to make certain that you could be on this stage tonight,” he said to the seniors.
After telling the story of a few victims of the recent nearby tragedies, he said none of those victims knew that their time was so near, and the span of their lives is now represented by the dash on their tombstones.
He then said to the class, “Every hope and dream, everything you represented, will be in that dash. The question is ‘What will your dash represent?’
”My personal goal has been that each one of you will obtain and achieve your personal best,” he concluded, and then accepted the graduates by the power invested in him by the state.
After the presentation of the diplomas, Senior Class President Patricia Broe and Senior Class Vice President Danielle Klehr led the class in the turning of tassels, and the members of the AHS Class of 2013 were then official high school graduates.
A comprehensive report on this graduation ceremony would be incomplete without noting that a member of the audience suffered a medical emergency during the video presentation. An ambulance was called, and after about a 15-minute pause in the ceremony, the victim was taken out of the theater.
Dr. Fitzpatrick, informed the audience that the individual was responsive and doing fine. The audience gave a sigh of relief when hearing this, and the ceremony resumed.

