On a day when early cloudy uncertainty gave way to a clear blue sky, the members of the Montclair High School Class of 2023 received their diplomas and became graduates.
The weather on Thursday, June 22, seemed almost symbolic of the class’ last four academic years – a time when the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted their freshman year and kept them out of the high school until their junior year in the fall of 2021.
The graduation, held in the high school’s amphitheater, was the 156th commencement ceremony of Montclair High School.
The one sour note was that there were not enough seats for all the ticketholders. Shortly after 6 p.m. dozens of people who were in line were told that there were no more seats in the amphitheater and that they would have to watch the graduation from a video screen on the lawn.
“Who calculated this?” yelled some ticketholders waiting in line.
“They know how many students are graduating,” somebody from the crowd said. This year each student had up to four tickets for their companions.
A considerable number of visitors had to watch the ceremony looking over the fences on Park Street.
The graduating class was praised for the strength it showed over the last four years of uncertainty.
“We’ve definitely left our marks on this high school and town,” Serena Lee, president of the Student Coalition, said in her welcoming remarks.
Lee exalted her classmates for organizing protests and cultural celebrations; advocating for mental health resources, ELL support and environmental issues; raising money for nonprofit organizations; and starting a girl’s ice hockey team, among other accomplishments.
“We’re on our way to become better leaders and people,” Lee said.
Principal Jeffrey Freeman told the class, “Throughout your time at Montclair High School, you have demonstrated remarkable strength in overcoming obstacles.
“As you embark on your future endeavors, setbacks will inevitably arise. Embrace them as opportunities for growth for they will lead you to even greater achievements.”
In his commencement address, Roger Terry, president of the Montclair NAACP, urged the graduates to “carry the torch to keep our country mighty and strong.”
He also advised students to stay mentally astute, physically fit and work on their spirituality.
“Stop the hate,” Terry said. “We have a country full of hate. … Be compassionate. Speak with kindness. Apologize when you make mistakes. Encourage others and accept people for who they are.”
Aidan Cummins, class president, said the students should take pride in what they have accomplished.
“We should pat ourselves on the back for all the changes that we’ve endured and survived in these past four years,” Cummins said. “Evidently, they’ve made us stronger, although we may not realize that we’ve changed in many different ways, physically, emotionally, and mentally.”
Superintendent Jonathan Ponds and Board of Education President Allison Silverstein led the presentation of the Class of 2023 for graduation and awarded the diplomas.
“I am very excited to see what the future holds for our children,” said Carlos Pinto, a parent of a graduate. “I wish them all the best.”
After the ceremony, graduates and their loved ones had time to greet one another, take photos and share their thoughts about their experiences.
“Happy and excited,” Jayla Gray said when asked how she felt about her graduation. She mentioned that she will be attending Fairleigh Dickinson University in the fall.
The graduates traded their caps and gowns for sky blue T-shirts and set aside their diplomas for hot dogs and cheese quesadillas.
The Class of 2023 got ready for the events organized by Project Graduation. In this 34-year tradition, parents arrange different recreational activities to commemorate the group’s last night as a class. This event promotes a celebration free from alcohol and drugs.
This was the second year that the Kiwanis Club of Montclair, a community organization, joined this tradition. Back in the day, Kiwanis used to cook breakfast for the graduates after they returned from celebrating in the early morning hours. This year, the organization reinvented the idea, so students and their guests could enjoy a cookout across the street from the school on Midland Park Avenue.
“We are doing this because they go on the buses, it’s another 45 minutes before they get to the [celebration], and of course, they are all hungry,’ said Ann Bismal, secretary of the Kiwanis Club of Montclair.
Once the graduates finished their snacks, they boarded one of the 13 designated school buses for the traditional celebratory tour of the town. Police officers, firefighters and EMTs escorted the graduation parade, which toured most of Montclair’s main streets and avenues. The trip ended at an “undisclosed destination” chosen by the Project Graduation team.
Some parents and friends of the graduates waited on the street to cheer the whole class as they passed by on the buses.
“The day is a mix of bittersweet and happiness,” said Carmen Guzman, who waited on Valley Road to see her son in the caravan. “I am sorry because my son is growing so fast, but I am happy because, you know, he graduated. I am very excited.”
