Schools
Belleville Seniors Graduate
Class of 2012 Commencement moved indoors by heat advisory, but ceremony goes off without a hitch, and Valedictorian and Salutatorian deliver upbeat speeches.
In a theatre awash in the blue and gold gowns and balloons representing the school's colors, long, loud cheers followed three speeches, along with a heartfelt thank you from Principal Russell Pagano, who said his first full year as principal was a great experience, and talked about success.
"Keep pushing yourself," Pagano said. "You will achieve your goals."
Some 384 seniors graduated from Belleville High School, after a heat advisory moved the festivities into the jam-packed air-conditioned Connie Francis Theater's high school auditorium last Thursday.
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The speeches followed an enthusiastic welcome from Senior Class President Joseph Dayne Servidio, who started the crowd's series of huge, long ovations, unfazed by the crazy weather that had driven them indoors.
The crowd packed with parents cheered wildly at the three student speeches and the principal's comments, all of which drew loud laughter and some tears from graduates, school and town officials and the overflow crowd.
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The Valedictorian speech by Elisa Hibyen Kam asked her fellow graduates to look forward but also to remember how their time at Belleville High School prepared them, and gave those memories that will last a lifetime.
Both Kam and the Salutatorian speech by Pooja Patel featured lots of very personal references to family and specific events with their best friends, including academic and sports competitions.
The acronym "YOLO" which stands for "You Only Live Once" was used in both speeches as the yougn women talked about their aspirations for the future and the attitude that helped make the most of their high school experiences.
Kam said,"Be your own person -live your own life."
The entire Board of Education was on hand, as were three township council members. The board includes John Rivera, Joseph Longo, Jeanne Lombardi, Bill Freda, Vincent Strumolo, Jr. and President Peter Zangari, Jr. and Vice President Patricia Inaugerato.
Council members Marie Strumolo Burke, Steve Rovell and Vincent Cozzarelli attended.
After the ceremony, students went to Dave & Buster’s in Times Square in Manhattan for an overnight party.
