Their Special Day: Regional Day School Graduates 10 Students

Ten students representing various high schools in Ocean and Monmouth counties celebrated their graduation from high school last week, as the New Jersey Regional Day School held its special commencement ceremony.

The Regional Day School at Jackson, which operates under the umbrella of the Manchester Township School District, works with special education students from various towns.

Those students represented their towns proudly at the ceremony, wearing caps and gowns in the colors of their hometown schools, according to a news release from the school district.

Principal Lisa Michallis introduced the graduates to the pack crowd of family, students and Regional Day School staff who were on hand to celebrate. They walked down the aisle with their families and fellow students cheering them on.

The graduates and their home schools are: Amanda B. of Manchester, Johanna C. of Lakewood, Nicholas G. of Toms River, Cheyenne G. of Central Regional, Matthew H. of Jackson, Danielle L. of Toms River, Clarence ‘Anthony’ P. of Lakewood, Brianna P. of Toms River, Rebecca R. of Middletown, and Andrew Z. of Toms River.

The graduates each received diplomas from their home districts as well as gifts from the Manchester Township Education Association, Support Staff Association and Administrator’s Unit. They also received awards for their participation in Industrial Technology/STEM, Safety Patrol and the Challenger sports league.

Autumn D., an underclass student, received the Regional Day School Caring Award.

Evolution Quartet, a local barbershop quartet, performed a summertime medley at the ceremony, as has been tradition for several years. In honor of the graduates, student Michael R. sang the Louis Armstrong song ‘What a Wonderful World,’ while students held signs printed with artwork matching the song lyrics.

Michallis closed the ceremony with comments about each individual graduate and what everyone at the school would miss most about them.

(Photo courtesy Manchester Township Schools)