Robbinsville grads celebrated at commencement
by James McEvoy, Managing Editor
ROBBINSVILLE — As the sun began to set during the 2013 Robbinsville High School commencement June 21, it became clear that a new day was dawning for the over 200 graduates.
Such was the message offered by students, faculty and administrators at the ceremony held on the school’s athletic field — the site of victory and defeat serving as an appropriate setting foreshadowing the challenges and joys to be found in life after high school.
The ceremony began with a poignant moment of silence for Qasim Mohammed Ali Muzaffar. Qasim, who passed away from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning at the age of 16 in 2010, was a member of the Class of 2013.
He was also acknowledged by several speakers during the ceremony, several of them asserting their belief that Qasim was with them there on the field.
Steven Mayer, superintendent of schools, congratulated the soon-to-be graduates for reaching their latest milestone, which represented the culmination of the 13 years of school.
”Hopefully the years have been full of friendship and learning from the challenges and a significant amount of joy,” Dr. Mayer said. “Now here you are ready to go out from this safe community and take on the challenges of the world.”
He said for the students to tackle these challenges they need to rely on their character and integrity, the latter of which he defined as a student’s inner structure.
”If a building stands with integrity it will hold up against wind and earthquake because it’s true to its design or foundation,” he said. “Each of us has an inner structure that defines our character and it seems that our job as parents and teachers is to help each of you come to know and stand firmly on the strength of that structure.
”Here at graduation we celebrate success. We look ahead to what each of you do next and we hope for a generation of leaders and community members who will bring a sense of stability into our world, but this requires courage, conviction and your uniqueness,” he added. “It requires that you hold firmly to your core strength.”
Board of Education President Michael Reca also addressed the graduating class, noting how humbled he was by what he witnessed at the recent senior awards night.
”It made me reflect on the years I have spent on the board,” he said, noting he was humbled not only by the students themselves but the commitment made by parents and guardians who support their children’s education.
”Your accomplishments will be remembered for years to come. One thing I can say with certainty about all of you who sit before me today is that you have excelled in so many different areas: academics, drama, music, robotics, business, athletics, just to name a few,” he said. “You clearly have never met a competition you didn’t like. You rose to every occasion in your four years here at Robbinsville High. This desire to excel will propel you in your life and your career. Do not lose that drive.”
Principal Molly Avery told her students they will face challenges, but also opportunity.
”Graduation is just another word for opportunity, another word for choice. You’re going to have many choices,” Ms. Avery said. “Just now of course you might be slightly bewildered by some of them, but you know deep down you’re lucky to have those choices.
”School, whatever you thought of it, brought with it its own sense of security,” she added. “From now on, to a certain extent, you’re going to have to provide that security for yourself.”
She also encouraged the students to keep in touch with the friends they made during high school, and to remember the support of their family.
Also addressing the seniors was Santford Overton, Robbinsville High School teacher of the year. He told the students not to take their graduation lightly.
”Graduation is a very important accomplishment, not something to be taken for granted,” Dr. Overton said. “A high school diploma is not an entitlement, but is meant to be earned and that commands respect.”
Like other speakers at the ceremony, he advised them to be ready for challenges that may arise as they continue their journeys.
”Whatever endeavor that you pursue, you have to be able to adapt and adjust to certain situations that may arise to be able to continue the pursuit of your dreams and goals,” he said.
Several students also offered words of wisdom to their classmates.
Andrew Clark, valedictorian of the Class of 2013, thanked faculty, staff and family members for molding him and his classmates.
Addressing his classmates, he opted to avoid some of the normal fare for valedictorian speeches.
”I’m not going to tell you all how to live your lives. I’m not going to tell you what’s right or what’s wrong. I’m not even going to tell you all to change the world like I’m supposed to,” Mr. Clark said. “I have no right to tell you any of those things.
”But there’s one thing you all have taught me that I would like to share with you. It is easy to love the people we know best, but it is much harder to give the people we don’t know well the same treatment,” he added, urging his fellow graduates to keep an open mind as they encounter new places and new faces.
He also encouraged his classmates to look back and remember those who have helped them.
”It is important to remember the previous chapter of our individual life novels, it would be nearly impossible to understand a novel starting a few chapters in,” he said. “So remember the people who helped mold you and never forget exactly who you are.”
Just moments before diplomas were given to each member of the Class of 2013 Christina Parylak, senior class president, told her classmates that nothing is impossible, noting the word broken up is “I’m possible.”
”So we learn that even in the impossible is the possible,” Ms. Parylak said, pointing to her classmates achievements as examples of excelling when facing challenges.
”We have done it our way and we have prevailed,” she said. “Our belief in ourselves, combined with hard work and determination, has allowed us to accomplish much.”
Though her own words throughout her remarks offered inspiration and reflection, Ms. Parylak decided to let the words of classmate Qasim be among the last echoing through the speakers at commencement.
”’Running. Always running. That’s where you will find me. Keep on running.’ Q’s words remind us to keep on running, to keep on pushing forward even when obstacles are in the way,” she said. “To continue to challenge ourselves and to believe in our abilities.
”Class of 2013, congratulations on your past and future successes,” she added. “May you always believe and keep on running.”