Class of 2012 Graduates from Hills East

The Eugene Orloff Auditorium at was filled to capacity with proud parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends of the Class of 2012 graduates.

Excitement rose as the processional began to Edward Elgar's famous "Pomp and Circumstance" began, and graduates dressed in red caps and gowns filed into the auditorium. 

Superintendent of Schools Kelly Fallon and Principal Dr. Jeffery Woodberry welcomed the families and offered inspirational words to the Class of 2012 graduates.

Valedictorian Adam Needelman, who will attend Brown University in the fall, reminded his classmates to keep their lives balanced. “Life and success is not about how many friends you have on Facebook. It’s about the real relationships you create and knowing who your friends truly are.”

Salutatorian Aaron Schwartz, who was accepted to Princeton University, is participating in the school's brige-year program in which he will take a year off between high school and college to live with a host family in Peru and volunteer volunteer as a children's English teacher.

Class President Cody Miecnikowski announced that the 440 graduates would gift a $4,000 renovation to the student lounge. The lounge will be named after Glenn Cochrane, a retiring science teacher and student government advisor, who has taught at the district for 37 years.

*Photos and information courtesy of Felice Kristall.