Montville Township High School Graduates 304 At 46th Annual Graduation Ceremony

MONTVILLE, NJ — Under vibrant blue skies, Montville Township High School graduated 304 seniors on Tuesday, June 20, 2017. The event marked the 46th Annual MTHS Graduation Ceremony.

The Class of 2017 procession, joined by faculty and members of the Montville Township Board of Education, entered the Mustang's football stadium to the strains of Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance, played by the MTHS Symphonic Band & Orchestra. Thomas Sansone, a member of the Class of 2017, conducted. Sansone is the first guest conductor in recent MTHS history selected from the student body to lead the MTHS Band & Orchestra at graduation.

"Thomas has been essential to our arts department during his four years at Montville Township High School," said MTHS Principal Douglas Sanford. "Although he has performed countless times as a representative of our school, we are so proud and honored that this last performance is as our full ensemble conductor at tonight's graduation ceremony."

Sanford's remarks for Sansone were greeted by thunderous applause from the Class of 2017.

Sanford then addressed the graduates of the Class of 2017.

“This ceremony represents so much love, care, support, and hope; and all that you have done for the past four years is being celebrated tonight,” Principal Sanford explained. “I feel confident that the greatest moments in your life lie before you. Each of you will leave here tonight armed with the skills, desire, curiosity, and commitment to accomplish anything you endeavor to do.”

Four student speakers addressed the administration, faculty, families, Montville Township Board of Education and their fellow graduates: Jonathan Kraft, Valedictorian and President of the MTHS Class of 2017; Cassandra Golorsky, the MTHS Class of 2017 Salutatorian; Bayann Amer, President of the Student Activities Council; and Geetam Patchigolla, Vice President of the MTHS Class of 2017.

Kraft , the Valedictorian and President of the MTHS Class of 2017, will attend Yale in the fall. He drew from his experiences academically and as captain of the MTHS Boys Track team to encourage his fellow graduates to work hard but to also make time to enjoy life.

“Hard work is so important. Go out into the world, and go to work until it brings you success,” Kraft said. “But never work so hard that you lose track of your enjoyment. Life is not about being the smartest, the fastest, the strongest, or the very best. It is about appreciating those around and making the most happy memories while we can. I’m so proud of the work I put into both academics and athletics, but at the end of the day, I’m not going to remember how many medals I won nor what grades I got in each class. What I won’t ever forget, though, is those memories and friendships I’ve made with my teammates, my classmates, my friends, and all of you before me today.”

Salutatorian Gologorskywill attend Cornell University in the fall. Her speech focused on the many impressive accomplishments the students of the MTHS Class of 2017 have already achieved.

“My fellow classmates have conducted graduate level research, competed in national forensics tournaments, and performed in some amazing musicals,” Gologorsky said. “They’ve demonstrated their outstanding talents on the field, in the pool, and on the track, as well as in art shows and concerts. I’d like to take a moment to congratulate the athletes, artists, musicians, orators, and other gifted individuals of the senior class. For a moment, let’s not focus on the future, but let’s recall all that we’ve accomplished in the past four years. From mastering the idea of tangents in calculus class to successfully throwing on the wheel in ceramics, you all have done something with your time in high school that you can be proud of.”

She assured the seniors that their drive and vision are strong and their experiences to date have prepared them for a future they have been working toward for the past four years.

Amer, the 2017 President of the MTHS Student Activities Councilencouraged her classmates to confidently embrace the future, secure in the knowledge that family, friends and self will continue to provide support.

“We are preparing to pack our things and leave our school years behind to step into the next chapter of our lives,” Amer said. “But, as we move on in life, it is imperative to remember that whenever we feel challenged, discouraged, or lost, the answers can be found right here at home.”

Patchigolla, the Vice President of the MTHS Class of 2017 will attend Rutgers Business School in the fall. He addressed his class with great humor and insight. Through a countdown format, he reviewed for the 304 MTHS seniors the past 4 years -- or 1,380 days. He concluded by imagining the next 2 hours and beyond.

“Time serves as the measuring stick for who we are and what we will do,” Patchigolla said. “And since those numbers will pass quickly from hours to days and from weeks to years, we must live every second with conviction and courage.”

Superintendent Dr. René Rovtar encouraged the class “to remember to be kind always.”

“It is our hope,” Rovtar said. “That the years you have spent here in the Montville Township Public Schools, experiencing our Character Ed programs and lessons about honesty, values, ethics and integrity, from the teachers and administrators you have worked with along the way, will have given you a solid moral compass to guide you.”

Board of Education President Dr. Matthew Kayne, who has been involved with the Montville Township Public Schools for 22 years, including nine as a Board of Education Member, expressed his pride and excitement for the inspirations and opportunities the faculty and staff provide daily for the students of Montville Township.

“Our students have rich experiences in our schools,” Kayne said. “Class of 2017, this is your moment, your world. Your actions have the power to lead our society in new directions.”

Class Advisor, World Languages teacher, Jennifer Dubois, spoke to the graduates on behalf of herself and Advisor, Mathematics teacher, Dana Bertoli.

“Every graduate here today has worked extremely hard to become a better version of themselves,” Dubois said. “Each of you has grown in a way that you should be proud of.”

Together Dubois and Bertoli announced each senior’s name as he or she approached the stage to accept a diploma and shake hands with MTHS Principal Douglas Sanford, Superintendent Dr. René Rovtar and Montville Township Board of education President Dr. Matthew Kayne.

Following the ceremony, 304 caps few into the air as family and friends made their way onto the field to hug and congratulate their graduates.

The MTHS graduation ceremony was broadcast live. VIDEO of the MTHS graduation processional, as well as VIDEOS of the speeches and the awarding of diplomas, can be viewed on the Montville Township Public Schools Facebook page.

The majority of graduates then participated in the Montville Township Drug Awareness Council’s Annual Project Graduation event. The oldest substance-free event in New Jersey, for over thirty years, Project Graduation has been staffed by Montville Township volunteers and supported by donations. It is organized by the community to keep MTHS graduates safe. From 10:00 PM to 4:00 AM graduates enjoy a DJ, swimming, volleyball, basketball, laser tag, casino games and a wide variety of special activities and entertainers, as well as a continuous supply of food throughout the night. To ensure everyone’s safety, graduates are bused to and from the celebration.