Under brilliant mid-morning late-June skies, and in front of family, relatives, friends, administrators, teachers and each other, more than 540 students received their diplomas on Thursday, June 22, on the field in Tozier Stadium at the 60th Commencement of Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS).
Principal George Alexis said humans are drawn to stories. “They delight us. They teach us. They touch our souls. They help us make sense of the world, and remind us we are part of a larger world.”
A graduate of WHRHS himself, Alexis said the Class of 2017 had left its mark on the school, which first opened its doors to students in 1957. He urged the Class of 2017 to continue to reason critically, ask questions freely, solve problems, be curious, explore new ideas, forge their own narrative journeys boldly, and write their own stories. “Do your best,” Alexis said.
He ended, quoting the late beloved Juan Carlos Cruz, the Spanish Teacher, soccer and track coach, cultural ambassador, mentor and friend who died unexpectedly and quite young in October. The quote is something many members of the Class of 2017 had heard Cruz say often, urging students to put everything into what they were doing. Alexis said, “As Señor Cruz would say, “Empty The Tank!”
(above) Danielle Koslow, plans to attend Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.; Nicole Wang, plans to attend Rutgers University; Emmaline Stoddard, plans to attend Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison; Amanda Soliman, plans to attend New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark.
(above l-r) President of the Class of 2017 Jordon Reynolds, Valedictorian Joyce Zhou, Salutatorian Michelle Shui, and All School Council President Natalie Przybylski of Warren Township. All gave remarks at the graduation, and Przybylski led the Salute to the Flag.
(above, l-r) Among the WHRHS students who graduated on June 22, are Brandon Wang, who plans to attend Rutgers University; Corey Chan, who plans to attend Northeastern University, Boston, Mass.; and Andrew Zheng, who plans to attend Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Md.
(above) WHRHS Board of Education President Robert Morrison congratulates his son, Andrew Morrison, as he presents him with his diploma.
(above) Watchung Borough Councilman William Nehls, greets his daughter, Savannah Glasser-Nehls, as he presents her with her diploma.
