West Orange Students Celebrate Milestone Moment, Graduate High School

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A class of 525 students at West Orange High School celebrated a milestone moment in their lives – their graduation ceremony – last week at Codey Arena.

Thursday’s ceremony included speeches from valedictorian Emily Liew and salutatorian Valentina Pappano, in addition to a speech from Principal Hayden Moore, who encouraged students to work hard and find their passion as they move on to college, work or other endeavors.

Board of Education President Jennifer Tunnicliffe expressed pride in the graduating class, while Interim Superintendent Lauren Schoen exhorted students to continue surmounting the challenges that life may bring. Both school officials had graduating seniors in the class of 2022: Liam and Mia.

Other highlights included:

• Maria Nalieth sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the graduation choir shone on “The Impossible Dream” and the band performed a lively rendition of “Albanian Dance”
• Rising seniors in the top 10 percent of their class formed the honor guard as faculty and students entered the auditorium
• The top five percent and top 10 percent of graduating seniors were recognized as they received their diplomas

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