The graduation of eighth grade students from Knollwood School is always an "all hands on deck" affair, and many local residents mark the date on their calendars so they can take part in the excitement. This year was no exception.
The ceremony was held in the auditorium at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School at 6 p.m. on June 18.
Highlights of the evening included the profound, inspiring, and sometimes humorous "I Believe" statements shared by many of the students. The graduates also performed the song "We're All In This Together," by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil, led by Knollwood School Choral Director Vincent Mottern.
Awards recognizing individual students for special achievements were presented. These included the "Superintendent's Outstanding Student Award" which was given to Joseph Stein by Fair Haven Superintendent of Schools Nelson Ribon.
Fair Haven Board of Education President Mark Mancuso joined Ribon in awarding diplomas to 127 graduates. The graduating students were addressed during the ceremony by Ribon as well as by Knollwood School Principal Kevin Davis and Board Member Jeffrey Spector. Spector, who was introduced by his son and Knollwood School graduate Cameron, advised the students to make the most of every minute during their higher education. "If you are having fun, have lots of fun -- and if you are studying, study harder," he said.
After the ceremony, graduates were bused back to Knollwood School on Hance Avenue where they embarked on an age-old Fair Haven tradition -- the walk back to Sickles School on Willow Street, where many of them began their grade school education. Well-wishers and parents lined the streets as the graduates made their way in anticipation of a Graduation Dance.
The All Purpose Room at Sickles School had been magically transformed thanks to a legion of eighth grade parent volunteers, led by Dance Committee Chairperson Amy Sullivan and Co-Chairs Christine Hearn and Jennie Lucci. All of the decorating, which is typically in the planning stages for months, is performed in line with a "secret theme" tradition that delights and surprises the Knollwood graduates each year.
This year was no exception, as the parent volunteers worked wonders with "New Year's Eve in New York City." Arriving at Sickles School, the students were treated to the sight of a "Lincoln Tunnel" display at the entrance -- complete with seventh-grade dance chaperones dressed as NYC police officers, a replica of an EZ-Pass Toll lane, and life-sized taxi cab cutouts. The All Purpose Room featured a dazzling array of special touches including a working replica of the bejeweled globe that is used to ring in the New Year in New York City.
The following Knollwood graduates were also recognized for individual achievements during the graduation ceremony --
Katelyn Lucci (Bud DuPree Volunteer Award); Cameron Spector (Fair Haven Education Foundation Scholarship); Mark Hoye and Julianna Meinz (Daughters of the American Revolution Citizenship Award); Dante Cioffoletti (Dr. Patricia B. Campbell Outstanding Artist Award); Rogan McGarvey and Kevin Witterschein (Nancy Field Collier Music Award); John Phelan and Emma Singleton (Dorothea Degano Music Award); Michaela Lake and Jack Presti (Living the Writerly Life Award); Elinor Gibney and Carson Rea (John L. Measley Physical Education Award); Aidan McGurl (World Language Award -- Spanish); Calvin Bruno (World Language Award -- French); Nathaniel LePage (Historical Association of Fair Haven, Inc. Award); Kathryn Medrow and Jack Presti (Michael Mekenian Science Awards); Katelin Boak (Fair Haven Education Association Award for Academic Excellence).
