Enthused Valley Grads Leave to 'Experience the World'

Written By Dan Gunderman 

Inside a Wayne Valley High School gymnasium stuffy from the feverish heat, high school seniors tossed their mortarboards and posed gleefully for parents at the graduation ceremony held Wednesday night.

The ceremony, which was cautiously moved indoors after the threat of rain, saw 382 seniors make the leap to the next chapters of their lives. 

“I’m very proud, and just very excited,” said Jamie Aponte, mother of graduating senior Eliana Aponte.

“Both Eliana’s brother and sister are here to cheer her on tonight,” said Jamie before the ceremony. “I wish it could’ve been held outside, but we (just want our daughter to know) that we love her and are so proud.”

Before Eliana (who will be studying culinary arts next year at Johnson & Wales) could make the walk down the aisles to grab her diploma, her young brother Joseph could be heard yelling for his sister with true brotherly pride. 

“We love you Sissy!” he called out to her.

Another parent, Kathi Mezzadri, mother of graduate Melissa Mezzadri, said, “I’m absolutely proud of Melissa tonight. Her sister is proud too!”

Though the Mezzadris also wished the ceremony could have been held outside, they remained enthusiastic throughout, cheering on their daughter who will be attending the Richard Stockton College of NJ next year to study elementary education.

As the ceremony honed in, salutatorian Ryan Pindulic, said, “I hope you all pursue a path that will ignite some childhood desires. We’re on the verge of a great shift in our lives. But the moment has come for change.”

Before he gave the podium over to the valedictorian Gina Park, he said, “We’ll all have new memories to rival and surpass the old. But now is the time to celebrate!”

As Pindulic proudly walked away, tassel moving briskly with each step, the valedictorian then seized her noteworthy moment.

“Everything we’ve learned have shaped our futures and who we’ll become,” she said. “Now it is our turn to experience this world.”

“After today, we’ll depart and head our separate ways, taking unique directions, but what will matter is not only just what we do, but how we do it,” she concluded.

From that point, the ceremony moved at a fleeting pace, as retiring Principal Robert Reis took the microphone. Using advice he encountered as a child, he warned, “Live boldly, or you’re not living at all.” 

Reis then quoted the conflicted but iconic writer, Hunter S. Thompson. As the writer once said, when we finally meet the grave, hopefully we can say, “Wow, what a ride.”

Following his passionate advice, he left to a standing ovation as he said, “So for the last time I get to say to you all: Reis, out.”

Immediately following his speech, guest speakers took the podium to offer their words of wisdom. Assistant Superintendent of Schools Marysol Berrios offered hers through the words of Dr. Seuss, and the mayor went on to praise the school’s principal. 

“There is no finer man than Bob Reis,” said Mayor Christopher Vergano. “This school is a better place because of him.”

With the pace still moving quite swiftly, the diplomas were then dispersed and afterward, senior class President, David Mateen, offered some concluding remarks. 

“We’re about to become young adults, journeying forward,” he said. “And this journey has definitely been a memorable one. This senior class is definitely one to remember, and we’ve certainly made our mark.”

And on his queue, the mortarboards began flying and cheers erupted.

“This feels great!” concluded graduate Alondra Mena after the ceremony. “Tonight was awesome!”