More Than 500 West Orange Students Graduate High School (VIDEO)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — Hundreds of graduating high school seniors recently celebrated one of the biggest milestones of their lives in West Orange.

A group of 530 seniors graduated from West Orange High School in a ceremony held at Codey Arena on June 20. Seniors, faculty, families and friends were on hand to cheer for the Class of 2024 (watch video footage below).

Salutatorian Kayla Mengden urged her peers to treasure the small moments in life as much as the “big” ones like graduation.

“As you look back on high school, I hope you can remember those little moments on random Thursday afternoons spent painstakingly stalking out people’s houses for senior assassin, embarking on the daily guessing game of whether we could make it to Chik-fil-a or Cava and back on our lunch break, or standing outside huddled for our third fire drill of the week,” Mengden said.

Valedictorian Emily Lossman also gave her peers a rousing address.

“When you think of music, sports, arts, or any other human achievement, it’s always people who tried their hardest and achieved excellence that will usually come to mind,” Lossman said. “People who aimed to be just good enough have long since been forgotten. Everyone here is leaving with a fresh start on changing the world by being the best at whatever you choose to do.”

“Graduates, as I look out at you, I see a group of individuals who have not only excelled academically but have also demonstrated resilience, creativity, and a commitment to making a difference in our community,” beamed Principal Oscar Guerrero, who just completed his own first full year at West Orange High School.

“Each one of you has a unique story, a unique journey that has led you to this moment, and for that, you should be immensely proud,” Guerrero continued. “This year has been one of growth and transformation. We have faced challenges that tested our resolve and adaptability. Through it all, you have shown an unwavering spirit and an ability to rise above adversity.”

“You have learned that success is not just about achieving your goals but also about the journey you take to get there,” Guerrero said.

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