— Dressed in caps and gowns and cheered on by family, friends and the educators who taught them, graduates of Salem High School Thursday night reflected on their last four years of school and looked to the future.
The 117 seniors were dressed in traditional school colors — girls in white and boys in blue — as they filed out of Salem High School for the last time.
“I’m excited and nervous. Nobody’s going to push me along and I’m really on my own now. I’m not going to know what to do with myself,” graduate Ally George said.
George added that she hopes to enjoy her summer with a lot of trips and fun.
While the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance” filled the lawn in front of the high school, parents and family cheered for the 137th graduating class.
“We’re not here to mourn the pastime of childhood. Knowing life is dynamic, beauty can be found in everything. Our times at Salem High have been enriched with beauty,” graduate and speaker Evelyn Sa’mone Campbell said of her years at
.
She added that the small moments, often taken for granted, will be missed the most.
“No matter where you go, always remember where you came from and be proud,” Campbell concluded.
Many of the graduates had a bittersweet feeling of joy and fear.
“Everybody is going away to college. My whole world is changing,” graduate Amber Fair said.
Parents of graduate Ariana Fisher, George and Gloria Fisher, were proud of her accomplishments.
“We made it. It’ time for her to spread her wings and fly. She’s done great,” mother Gloria Hyland-Fisher said.
The high school graduation not only brought family and friends, but also former grade school teachers.
Sharon Kellum, a teacher at
, was present for graduate Dustin Elwell.
Kellum said Elwell was an elementary student of hers and invited her to the ceremony.
“I’m really proud of him. He’s done a good job,” Kellum said.
Salem High School Principal Dr. Gregory Dunham presented a variety of scholarships and awards and then gave one last piece of advice to the students.
“You’ve all worked hard and you’ve earned the right to be here. No matter what you do in life, do it with grace and dignity. Treat all people fair and with respect,” Dunham said.
Other graduates shared their thoughts about the new chapter in their lives.
“I’m a little nervous and a little excited to move on. It’s going to be a big transition,” graduate Nathan Rahain said.
Rahain plans to attending Rowan University to study civil engineering.
Graduate Caitlyn Marie Hudock also reminisced about her time at Salem High School and encouraged her fellow classmates.
“I’ve made a lot of memories. While we’ll always have these memories, we must move on. We must learn and grow. There are plenty of lessons we will learn when we go off into the world,” Hudock said.
With the official certification and congratulations to the Class of 2012 by Superintendent Dr. A. Patrick Michel, the Class President Kaitlin Ariel Keen read all the names of her classmates as Salem City Board of Education President Yuenge Groce presented the diplomas.
With smiles and tears, the fresh graduates marched off and tossed their caps in the air celebrating their commencement.
Reach Brittany Wehner at 856-935-1500 Ext. 436 or via email at bwehner@southjerseymedia.com.