MILLSTONE — Millstone Township Middle School Principal Christopher Huss said 164 eighth-graders will graduate during commencement exercises to be held at the Millstone Performing Arts Center at 5 p.m. June 18.
“This has been an outstanding eighthgrade class that will represent the Millstone community well as they mature and venture out into the world,” Huss said. “The one word that comes to mind when I think of the members of this class is camaraderie because they all get along with each other so well.
“This is a quality that will suit them well in their futures. I am confident these young men and women are going to be adept at communicating and collaborating with others to find creative ways to do great things.”
Huss said the majority of the middle school graduates will attend Allentown High School.
The Millstone Township K-8 School District sends its graduates to Allentown High School in the Upper Freehold Regional School District on a tuition basis.
Huss estimated that between 30 and 40 middle school graduates will attend other high schools, including Communications High School in Wall Township, the Academy of Allied Heath and Science in Neptune, Biotechnology High School in Freehold Township, High Technology High School in Lincroft, the Peddie School in Hightstown, Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel and Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft.
The graduation speakers will include the Student Council president and three pupils who won essay contests.
Board of Education President Margaret Gordon, Superintendent of Schools Scott Feder and Huss will also address the graduates, their family members and friends, and the middle school staff.
Student Council President Kaitlyn Bergen said middle school graduation is a special milestone in life.
“Middle school was an amazing experience,” Kaitlyn said. “We are going our separate ways into high school. I will miss seeing the staff members and my peers every day.”
Student Council Vice President Delaney Bogusz said, “I have gone to Millstone schools since second grade and have made so many amazing friends. While I am excited to graduate middle school, I will miss others who are going to different high schools. It will be the first time we are not all together every day.”
Feder said graduation is always an exciting time of the school year for many reasons.
“Nothing is as exciting as the feeling our eighth-graders have on the precipice of their high school experience,” the superintendent said. “This group of eighth-graders is an exceptional group of students, and we have the highest expectations [for them] to do great things in high school and beyond. All of the categories are well-stocked with talent — athletics, drama, musicians, academia and artistic — but what stands out more is simply how good these kids are.”
Feder praised the members of the Class of 2015 for taking care of one another and doing the right thing. He said their advancement to high school is well-earned.