Manchester High School Grads Leave The Nest

Graduates of the Manchester Township High School Class of 2021 toss their hats into the air at the end of their graduation ceremony. (Photo courtesy Manchester Schools)

  MANCHESTER – It has been a unique and difficult school year for students due to the COVID-19 pandemic but high school graduates got some great weather for their recent commencement.

  The Class of 2021 had perfect sunny and comfortable weather for their June 23 graduation that – unlike last year – was held live and included parents, friends and family.

  The graduates entered in two lines, boys in blue and girls in gold, as the MTHS band played the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” Many of the students had decorated their caps for the ceremony, displaying their creativity with artwork, flowers, photos and slogans.

  Principal Dennis Adams opened the ceremony. The school’s NJROTC Honor Guard presented the colors as Student Government Executive Board Vice President Miles Davis led the flag salute. Then the MTHS Senior Choir impressed the audience with their rendition of the National Anthem.

  Class President Nicholas Isphording, welcomed the class and guests and thanked the teachers, administrators, staff and custodians. He said he wanted to discuss something other than COVID. “People’s inability to forgive has caused our world to divide,” he remarked.

The bleachers were filled with male graduates in blue and female graduates in yellow during the recently held commencement for the Class 2021. (Photo courtesy Manchester Schools)

  “As we part ways today and pursue our future endeavors, let’s not forget what our sole purpose on Earth truly is. Whenever it’s needed, give your support to others and spread compassion to all who you meet in life,” he said. “When we find ourselves staring down at our cell phones in public, let us look up and say hi to the person sitting next to us, because one kind word truly makes a tremendous impact.”

  Adams introduced students entering the military after graduation: Kaleigh Timmons – Marine Corps, Garrett Hynds – Navy, Navit Sanchez – Navy, and Adrianna Botterio – Air Force.

  He also introduced the top 10 students of the Class of 2021 and announced the colleges they are attending:

  10) Nicholas Isphording – George Washington University – Criminal Justice and Biology

  9) Ryan Krzynowek – Ocean County College Stars Program – Computer Science

  8) Elizabeth Oliver – Eckerd College – Marine Biology

  7) Kira Ascione – Ocean County College Stars Program – Nursing

  6) Marissa Clauburg – Wesleyan University – Music and Mathematics

  5) Morgan Brustman – Robert Morris University – Biology

  4) Cassandra McDermott – The College of New Jersey – BioChemistry on a Public Health track

  3) Crystal Kilfeather – Rutgers University – Management for Pre Law

  2) Michelle Levereth – University of Rochester – Experimental Psychology

  1) Emily Barron – Ursinus College – Biology

Graduates noted some of their future plans on the graduation caps that were seen during the ceremony. (Photo courtesy Manchester Schools)

Salutatorian and Valedictorian

  Salutatorian Michelle Levereth told her classmates, “I am proud of you. No matter how normalized our struggle has become by adults, it is still a struggle, and I am so incredibly proud of all of you for making it here today. It is not easy to balance the world on an 11-inch Chromebook, but I think we did an amazing job.”

  Valedictorian Emily Barron said, “I can’t believe we’ve finally made it to graduation. This past year has pushed the limits for us all like never before and we have made it through, despite the hardships we have faced.”

  She told her classmates to make their own definition of success and strive to achieve what makes them happy. “Growing up alongside you, my fellow graduates, has not only been a pleasure, but an experience. We have displayed strength and mental toughness during a global pandemic, despite the challenges of remote learning, cancelled events, and pesky masks. I am beyond proud to graduate with the classmates sitting before me and will forever cherish my time spent here.”

  Class Officers Nicholas Isphording, Emily Barron, Sherly Gonzalez, Morgan Brustman and Moon Patel presented thank-you gifts to their class advisors, Heather Staples and Erin Berhalter, and the class gift to the school, a glass case for the memorial garden.

  Staples and Berhalter addressed the class. Staples reminded the graduates of their pep rally chant, “we’re not done ‘til 2021!” She said it turned out to be eerily prophetic as well as motivational. “And though it would be so easy to simply close the book and boldly state ‘2021 done,’ we know that is so far from the truth. You are just getting started, ‘21 Hawks.”

  She told her classmates, “You have shown the grit, the heart, the motivation to carry you like no other. Hold that. Keep that. And please do not be done.”

Administrator Speeches

  Superintendent David Trethaway and Board of Education President Ken Pate also addressed the class, congratulating them on their accomplishments and offering advice for the future.

  Adams addressed the graduates, “Class of 2021, you are the climbers. Climb with hope, climb with joy, climb with excitement about the future.” He said,

  “I leave you with this, climb and continue climbing because the view at the top is always better than the view from the bottom. Tonight, is your shining moment, be proud of your Manchester roots as we are extremely proud of you,” Adams added.

  Vice Principal Tracey Raimondo, read each graduate’s name as they approached the stage to receive their diplomas. Afterward, Student Government Executive Board Publicist, Ally Nielsen, led the graduates in the traditional changing of the tassels from left to right.

  Student Government Executive Board Co-Presidents, Crystal Kilfeather and Helena Staples, made the closing remarks, “The future is unknown, but one thing is for certain, our class will be the one to set the world on fire, which is exactly what I encourage you to do, and in the end, we will soar to greatness. Onward and upward, Hawks. We did it.”

  The ceremony concluded with the graduates tossing their caps into the air as Adams dismissed the class for the last time.