JACKSON – Fifty years of Hawk Pride was celebrated recently with administrators, students, former students and even former students who are now teachers at the school.
The open house event honoring a half century of Manchester Township High School featured numerous displays, a vendor area, food trucks and other activities for what was a very lively and heartfelt celebration.
Hundreds of guests filtered through the MTHS campus throughout the day, filling the school grounds with good vibes and school pride.
It all started with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m. with remarks by Superintendent Diane Pedroza who said, “they say that ‘home’ is a place you grow up wanting to leave and grow old wanting to get back to.’ Looking out at this crowd today, seeing faces that represent five different decades of Hawks, it is clear that Manchester Township High School isn’t just a building on Colonial Drive. It is a home.”
Following her comments, interim Principal Alex George spoke. He spearheaded the celebration with a dedicated committee of volunteers.
Mayor Joseph Hankins who is an MTHS graduate presented a special proclamation honoring the school’s 50th anniversary. Speakers reflected on the school’s journey since its opening, celebrated the accomplishments of alumni across generations, and recognized the educators and staff who have shaped the school community over the years.
Following the ceremony, guests explored a full lineup of activities designed to welcome all ages and interests, thoughtfully planned and organized by a committee of staff members and brought to life through the efforts of student and staff volunteers stationed throughout each activity area. Food trucks lined the grounds, while younger guests enjoyed kid-friendly games and activities.
Alumni gathered for meetups organized by decade, sharing stories and reconnecting with classmates and former teachers. There were guided tours of the building led by MTHS students. The students offered a look at updated spaces alongside familiar hallways filled with memories.
One MTHS student played a key role in the event, creating all signage as well as the map used for the guided tours. Photo opportunities throughout the campus gave attendees a chance to capture the moment.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful aspects of the day was the strong turnout of alumni spanning five decades of classes, many of whom returned to campus for the first time in years. The opportunity to reconnect with peers and revisit the school where so many milestones began added a personal and reflective touch to the celebration.
The first 150 attendees received a commemorative 50th anniversary cup, made possible through a generous donation from the Manchester-Lakehurst Rotary Club. All proceeds from the day went towards the Hawk Mascot Fund.
Resident, parent and alumni Erin Siliply was among the many enjoying the event. “When I was here I was Erin Domizio and I was a graduate here in 1999. I was part of the drama club, chorus, honors chorus, marching band, I was color guard captain, a member of the cultural awareness club. I was involved in a lot here.”
“I moved here when I was in 6th grade. I went to middle school and then transferred to high school. Now my son is going to be graduating this year from this high school and I have a little one at Ridgeway School,” she added.
Looking back to the differences now Siliply said, “you are looking at 25 plus years. It looks very different this (media center) was actually a library with all books. You had classes up there (on the second floor of that room). There was very much a community feeling within the school even with the cliques. You had your jocks, your artsy kids in drama and chorus, not too many burnouts, a couple, you had your nerdy kids but you didn’t have a lot of inter-fighting between them. It was pretty copasetic situation. If I could go back and do it over again I would, hands down. I cherish my time here.”
She added, “we had a great principal, Mr. Riggy and Mr. Walling was our vice principal and an amazing vice principal of the junior class who passed away a few years ago, Mr. Gundry. He was the athletic director and you could go to him about anything or really go to any of them for anything.”
Sandy Sousones is a teacher of environmental science and biology who graduated from MTHS in 2000. Like Pedroza and George she was wearing the blue and yellow colors of the high school. “This is my second year teaching here at the high school. I did eight years at the elementary school.”
When asked about her experience at MTHS she quickly replied, “good enough that I came back to teach. My husband and I had moved down to Little Egg Harbor and we moved back so our kids could go to school here. I have a senior and an 8th grader and one who will start kindergarten in the fall,” Sousones added.
She said, “we have another 13 plus years in the district. This is great. It is a community at every level and there is giving back. There are people here who were in the school as a student who are now staff – and even retired – and have come back and feel that it is home. If one hawk is down, everyone rallies. There is no battle that anyone does alone.”
Members of the school’s Astronomy Class were also participating in the event with a table within the gymnasium which served as the vendor area. Along with them was the club’s mascot “Minnie” a chihuahua.
The school’s own costumed blue hawk mascot needed to get some relief from the heat and was assisted by the superintendent who extended her sincere thanks to everyone who attended, volunteered, and helped bring the event to life noting that was events like this that make Manchester special, including a shared history and a continued pride in the school’s past, present, and future.
