Eager Montclair High School Graduates Earn Diplomas: WATCH

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The skies were a “Mountie blue” as Montclair High School celebrated its 156th commencement ceremony last week.

Graduates with the class of 2023 made the traditional march onto the outside amphitheater last Thursday, crossing bridges to their seats while the Montclair Band and Orchestra played "Pomp and Circumstance." Bleacher seating was provided for friends and family, and a giant screen livestreamed the event.

“Your achievements go beyond academic excellence,” Principal Jeffrey Freeman told the eager crowd of high school graduates. “They encompass personal growth, leadership and a sense of community.”

“You have demonstrated remarkable strength in overcoming obstacles,” Freeman continued. “You have shown the world that setbacks are not roadblocks, but rather stepping stones toward success.”

Montclair NAACP Chapter President Roger Terry said over the years, each generation has been “tested,” with the COVID-19 pandemic being among the hardest hurdles that the class of 2023 faced.

Terry encouraged the teens to “be compassionate” in his commencement address:

“Keep yourselves mentally astute, dealing effectively with issues at hand. Keep yourself physically fit. Having the ability to execute daily activities with optimal performance helps reduce stress and fatigue. Continue to work on your spirituality no matter what it may be. The spirit is the soul inside you. Keep working on that. That gives you a compass, guidance in what direction to go into. Stop the hate. We have a country full of hate. Be compassionate. Speak with kindness. Apologize when you make mistakes. Listen carefully without judgement. Encourage others to accept people for who they are.”

Read a full recap of the ceremony here. Watch a video of the ceremony below, or view it here online, via MontclairTV34.

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