For the 70 graduating eighth graders of Cranbury School, class was dismissed for the last time Friday evening.
By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
CRANBURY – For the 70 graduating eighth graders of Cranbury School, class was dismissed for the last time Friday evening.
Sporting suit jackets and dresses, with flowers in hand or pinned to their lapels, members of the class passed under a decorated archway and processed down the aisle to the traditional strains of “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Student Council President William Huang welcomed the audience to the ceremony as the applause died down.
”It seems like just not so long ago, we were all elementary school students, and now we are about to graduate middle school,” William said.
Cranbury School has always been a rewarding learning environment for its students, he said.
”Thank goodness this Blue Ribbon School had so much to offer, including great teachers and students,” he said.
Eighth grade class Vice President Spencer Zullo introduced the program’s first song, “It’s Time,” as performed by Imagine Dragons.
”This year, the eighth grade class voted on, and selected this song to commemorate our years at Cranbury School,” Spencer said. “Throughout the song, lyrics such as, ‘It’s time to begin,’ and ‘I’m never changing who I am’ portray the images of growing up.”
Spencer continued by saying, “This song reminds us that we’re not starting over, but beginning a new chapter: high school.”
Stephanie Mejia next introduced the Dr. Seuss-inspired class theme of “Oh, the places we’ll go!”
”Today, we will graduate together in a matter of minutes, leaving behind a school, a grade, our team and some great teachers,” Stephanie said. “Oh the places we’ll go, oh the people we will meet and oh the memories we will make.”
A microphone was passed among the students, as they each shared a quote with the audience that they found especially meaningful. Authors ranged from William Shakespeare to Aristotle to D.H. Lawrence and everywhere in between.
As the first half of students finished reading their quotes, Gretchen Brown presented the eighth grade choir’s song selection of “Somewhere,” from Leonard Bernstein’s “West Side Story.” The song expresses main characters Tony and Maria’s desire to find a place where they are completely accepted, Gretchen said.
”We have all found this place, here, at Cranbury School,” she said. “Hopefully, we will all reclaim a place like this again.”
Chief School Administrator Dr. Susan L. Genco presented the class for the awarding of diplomas after the second half of the class finished sharing their quotes.
”Tonight we come together to celebrate an outstanding group of young men and women,” Dr. Genco said. “These students have been exceptional role models for our student body and a pleasure to work with.”
Dr. Genco spoke about the significance of the class gift the students were presenting to the school. According to the program notes, “the class chose to create their own wall mural as a gift to the school.” The mural is located to the right of the front entrance inside the building and celebrates “each student’s individuality while acknowledging them as the Class of 2013.” The gift is a symbol, she said, that represents their beliefs and values as a class.
”We are very proud of you,” she said. “Your teachers and administrators are here to celebrate in your success and we thank everyone for guiding and challenging you to achieve your personal best during your nine years at Cranbury School.”
Vice Principal Michele Waldron and members of the Cranbury Board of Education awarded the diplomas to the class of 2013, amid a myriad of flashes, cheers and applause.
”Congratulations to the graduating class of 2013,” William said. “May all of you be successful and happy, whatever your future holds.”
The majority of students will attend Princeton High School in the fall.