'Community of Learners' Becomes Class of 2013

With the toss of a mortar board, West Morris Central's Class of 2013 went from seniors to alumni Tuesday night.

Bearing the 90-degree weather, hundreds of family members and friends packed the football field bleachers and additional seating near the track to see their loved ones officially become part of the class of 2013.

“This ceremony is quite nice,” said Albert Fraser, father of a graduate of the same name. “The weather seems like a bummer though. Either way, we’re looking forward to [the graduation].”

Fraser’s wife, Mary, said, “I couldn’t be prouder today. This high school is phenomenal. I’m so proud of our son for being here and all of the other graduates.”

Albert Fraser – son of Albert and Mary – will be attending NJIT next year to study physics.

Frank Perry, the uncle of graduate Maria Guerra, who will be attending the University of connecticut to study nutrition, said, “This is the third graduation we’ve been to in five years. It’s very warm out here, watching the storm go by.

“These ceremonies have been very successful in the past, but they’re long because there’s such big classes,” he said.

Kicking off the ceremony, Kerry Ann Steiniger, the salutatorian, said, “Today is a great moment for the class of 2013. We’ve had 13 years of parents and teachers making us who we are today.”

Discussing the common misfortune associated with the number 13, Steiniger added that for the class of 2013, the voodoo surrounding the unlucky number is “just not the case.”

“Today represents the opportunities that lie ahead. Tonight, we are the greatest class in the world,” she concluded.

Under the direction of Class Treasurer Adam Ungemach, Class Secretary Dale Oommen and Class Vice President Emily Tribulski, the senior class unveiled their class gift dedicated to the school. This year, it’s a water bottle filling station that “will help eliminate costs.”

Class President Ashley Fleming touted the group that sat before her. She then discussed some of the accomplishments the class had made, including raising thousands in fundraisers and traveling to Union Beach to help with Hurricane Sandy relief.

She concluded with a saying from English author A.A. Milne; “I am lucky to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard,” she read. 

Rohith Vudatha, the class valedictorian, then took to the podium for a few illustrious moments. “The future looms before us," he said. “And sometimes advice comes from unexpected sources. Inspiration is all around us, we just have to find it.”

With crowd members enthusiastically searching for their happy new grad, Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast then took the microphone to certify the students’ graduation.

Before the time-consuming process of dispersing diplomas occurred, school Principal Steve Ryan blissfully spoke to his graduating class.

“We are the best around, for many reasons,” he said. “One of them: students, another, faculty, and parents another. We’re a community of learners, and we continue to achieve great things.”

“Our purpose has been to prepare (students) for the next steps, nurture their development as people, and teach them how to be learners," Ryan said. "I hope everyone continues along purposeful pathways for years to come.”

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