Nutley's 140th Commencement: A Profound Night
• Valedictorian Patrick Roche: "Hope to Be Somone Important, to Just One Person"
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
The Nutley High School Graduating Class of 2010.
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Valedictorian Patrick Roche
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
Principal Gregory Catrambone and Superintendent of Schools Joseph Zarra lead the commencement precession.
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Enlarge This Photo | Photo by NJHometown |
The overall scene with Town Hall in the background.
Jun 24, 2010 – "Life is an occasion - rise to it!"
That was among the advice handed out by class leaders at Nutley High School's 140th Commencement last night on the Nutley Park Oval.
Valedictorian Patrick Roche, Salutatorian Jonathan Konel and Class President William McLellan all shared thoughts of the future and the past on a sultry June evening. Roche began by telling his classmates he could offer no "life altering" words because the reality had struck him that the class was so "amazing" they would already know whatever wisdom he could impart.
Roche then deadpanned the opening rap from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and said that all of the pop culture they experienced, from the Boy Bands to Lady Gaga, would become "a wave of nostalgia," but "there is still something to be hoped for."
That, he said, is the "much life to be seen," and "the ability to affect another person" in "as profound a way as these people (the Nutley school staff) have touched us."
"Hope to be somebody important to just one person," Roche said.
Salutatorian Konel celebrated his Latin heritage by wishing everybody a good evening and later a good night in Spanish. He talked about all the dead ends he found in trying to find a theme for his speech, finally settling on a line from the film, "Meet the Robinsons," the simple "keep moving forward."
"Success and prosperity is what I see for this class," Konel said. He talked about Walt Disney saying that curiosity leads us all down many paths, and urged his classmates to "open new doors. There are always doors ready to be opened."
Konel said the class would now be forever unified in "spreading our own unique Nutley experience to the world." He quoted the play, "Into the Woods," that "No one is alone truly," and concluded that, "Life is an occasion - rise to it."
Class President William McLellan talked of how fast the time had gone, but that "when one door
closes, another one opens. Each one of us has his or her own story to tell," he said. "Change the world - one way or another."
Konel urged his classmates to set their goals high and "be great."
"Tough people last - tough times don't," he said, quoting the late rapper Biggy Smalls that "the sky's the limit."
The Concert Band and Orchestra played the processional, "Pomp and Circumstance" as the graduates walked into the Oval, then the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers sang "God Bless American/The Star Spangled Banner," and the Nutley High School Alma Mater." Following the three speeches, the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers and Wind Ensemble played "Battle Hymn of the Republic."
Principal Catrambone said he was dedicating the commencement to the 13 retiring teachers and called the ceremony "a fantastic night that never fails to amaze me."
He said the night "celebrates the accomplishments of the Class of 2010" and "the level of mastery they have attained." More important, Catrambone said, was the understanding of their fellow man and the work it will take to help them.
"The bonds we shared will remain forever," he added. "Integrity matters."
He lauded the class for having 89 percent of all students attending institutes of higher learning.
Zarra said graduation "is a wonderful event and a great moment for the school and community. This class is one of the most outstanding, and we are very proud of the growth and development. Congratulations to the teachers and the parents. We wish the students the very best in meeting the challenges and the opportunities of the future."
Principal Gregory Catrambone then offered words of encouragement, followed by the Chamber Singers performing "Celtic Blessing," and Superintendent of Schools Joseph Zarra handling the acceptance of the Class of 2010, along with School Board President Kenneth Reilly and Class Advisors Alicia Lombard and John Gulardo, all of whom handed out diplomas. The recessional song was "Grand March," performed by the
Concert Band and Orchestra.
A plane flew over head and did several ceremonial passes over the Oval. What followed was much celebration, tears of joy and photos taken by friends and family.
(Note to readers: Additional information and photos will be added to this story later today. Please send corrections, additional information and better information on photo captions to news@njhometown.com - thanks!)
