Saturday, June 24, 2017
PINE BARRENS TRIBUNE, WWW.PINEBARRENSTRIBUNE.COM
‘Without Hope, There Is Nothing;’ Lenape Graduates Told of the Importance of Perseverance By Mark Hatoff
For the Pine Barrens Tribune
MEDFORD—Perseverance. Overcoming challenges. Facing adversity. Happy for past opportunities, but ready to face the future. Hope. Even the movie “Cars 3.” These were the themes and messages expressed by school and district representatives, parents and students at the 57th Annual Commencement of Lenape High School at Richard M. Driscoll Stadium on June 16. After opening remarks from Student Council President Jenna Goldstein and the National Anthem, performed by the Lenape Combined Chorus, Principal Anthony Cattani praised the members of the graduating Class of 2017 for their ability to teach as well as learn. “Effective education is a two-way street,” Cattani said. “There’s a Latin proverb that states, ‘By learning, you will teach. By teaching, you will learn.’ All members of the community learn from each other. Just as members of the Class of 2017 have spent countless hours learning from their teachers, parents, school staff and peers, they have also devoted countless hours to teaching us all about perseverance, dedication, service to others, achieving success, and many other successful approaches to life.” Cattani mentioned that of the 403 graduating students, some have been accepted to 224 different colleges and universities around the country, while others have chosen to enter into careers or elected to enter the armed forces. A number of the Lenape graduating seniors have had to show perseverance during high school, including Kait Kuleza, Rachel Fox and Michael Higgins, who was the evening’s salutatorian. “My best memory at Lenape is winning states in lacrosse in my freshman year,” said Kuleza, who played lacrosse, basketball and field hockey at the school. During her junior year, she was told by doctors that she could no longer play competitive sports due to discovering that she was born with the coronary artery of her heart formed on the opposite side. “I loved playing and also going to games,” she said. Even though she could no longer play, Kuleza found that she was still able to contribute in lacrosse, her favorite sport. “Lenape was great in that she was made an honorary assistant coach for lacrosse in her senior year,” said Ted Kuleza, father of Kait, who was honored at the team’s end-of-the-year banquet. “That kept her involved in the sport that she loves and her heart condition led to her becoming interested in Exercise Science which she will study at West Chester University.” Kait is the last of four siblings to graduate from Lenape, following Ted Jr., Casey and Dan, who graduated last year. “It will be bittersweet (not having anyone going to Lenape),” said mother Nancy Kuleza. “Each of our kids was different and the school offered something for each of them.” Fox, who will be majoring in TV Production with a concentration in Sound Design and minoring in Computer Science at California State University-Northridge, began high school on a different path and said that she owes Lenape (and her parents) for helping her persevere and discover her passion. “I was taking classes for engineering, but all along I was helping at Lenape TV, working on set design and lighting for the theater
productions,” said Fox, who especially recognized Television Broadcasting Technology teacher Peyton Ebbeson as a strong influence. “In my junior year, I just had an epiphany. I didn’t want to be an engineer. I told my parents and luckily they were cool with it. They said that I was lucky that I was able to follow my dream.” Higgins had to persevere while at Lenape as well, having gone through a few setbacks, as he mentioned during his salutatorian speech. Luckily, he had hope to get him through, a feeling that he thinks all of his fellow graduates can use to their advantage in the future. “To quote my favorite movie, ‘The Shawshank Redemption,’ which features none other than Morgan Freeman, the voice of God himself, ‘Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things and no good things ever die,’” Higgins said. “Whether you realize it or not, hope has been our greatest asset through our high school years. When we were in our darkest of times, we all knew that grass was greener over the horizon.” Higgins said that he was hit hard this year when he was faced with the news of three close relatives suffering serious illnesses. His maternal grandmother died of lung cancer just five days into the recently-completed school year. His aunt on his father’s side has had the same diagnosis for more than nine months. His grandfather on his dad’s side was recently diagnosed with bladder cancer. He hasn’t let this bother him. “I wholeheartedly believe that my grandmother is in a better place than she once was,” Higgins said. “I think that my aunt will have more good days than bad days with the time she has left and I believe my grandfather will keep getting better and continue to crack the worst jokes in the world.” Higgins wrapped up his talk with some advice for his fellow classmates. “I have the power to see the future optimistically and believe each graduate here does as well,” Higgins said. “Hope just needs to exist, because without hope, there is nothing. If not for yourself, be hopeful for the sake of those around you. Some may say giving up is the easy thing to do, but I say hoping is the easy thing to do. Hope can always be there for wherever we are going in life.” Although nearly all of the night’s speakers recognized Lenape’s staff as a whole, there were a few people who were especially singled out. In his address, Senior Class President Evan Mufalli chose to honor Class of 2017 advisers Stephanie Fox and Rich Jacobs, who he referred to as “two of the most caring and thoughtful individuals I’ve had the pleasure of knowing at Lenape.” He also credited English teacher Nicole Mustaccio with teaching him his most powerful sentiment. “Be true to yourself and be true to others,” Mufalli said. “As Ms. Mustaccio says, if you can do this, you can do good in the world.” Valedictorian Saransh Chopra spoke about his two favorite teachers. “I would like to recognize science teacher Mr. (James) Hessler and math instructor Mr. (Robert) Spitz who, after devoting a combined 59 years of service to Lenape, will be retiring at the end of this year,” he said. “This is quite an amazing accomplishment.” Near the middle of the commencement ceremony, Cattani spoke about Linda Schwartz, who also is stepping down as Lenape
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Pinelands Graduates Urged to Build a Solid Foundation for Their Future By Catherine Galioto
For the Pine Barrens Tribune
LITTLE EGG HARBOR—With a celebratory toss of their caps, Pinelands Regional High School’s Class of 2017 entered the next chapter of their lives after graduating on June 19. Family members, supporters and faculty cheered on the 255 graduates and listened to words of wisdom from several distinguished speakers; including Valedictorian Glenn Brown, Salutatorian Susanna Cardillo, Principal Shaun Banin, Superintendent Dr. Maryann Banks and Pinelands Regional Board of Education President Susan Ernst; during a nearly 90-minute commencement exercise. The commencement exercise was held in the school’s auditorium due to inclement weather. “This is your first true ‘Now what?’ moment,” Banin said. “Whereas in years prior you had the assurance of knowing that a choice was already made for you and you had to go to school— from this day forward the choice of where you go is now yours.” Brown said in his valedictorian speech that the future may be uncertain, but asked of his fellow classmates to remember that “you can’t slow the rush of time.” He also said that it was a joyous and bittersweet occasion that he and his fellow classmates are moving on from high school, despite the countless memories that had been made over the last four years. He urged listeners to not forget to make time for the small moments that contain precious memories—as they go whizzing by. Brown, 17, is from Tuckerton and the son of Glenn and Lacey Brown.
Cardillo emphasized her love of God and Jesus Christ during her salutatorian speech. She urged graduates to ask themselves “How can I build a solid foundation for my future?” She said the answer would be to “build your house on rock and not on sand.” She ended her speech by singing “Praise God,” which drew a standing ovation. Before concluding her remarks, however, she discussed how the class was in eighth grade when Superstorm Sandy struck the sending towns of the school district. She said the storm was a real test for the community which experienced significant damage. “We observed the personal hardships experienced by our families and friends as the storm threatened our homes,” Cardillo said. “Unexpected storms will come throughout each of our own lives. We stand in a world that is constantly shifting and changing. We need a foundation—something that remains timeless and something that remains constant.” Cardillo, 17, is the daughter of Peter and Theresa Cardillo of Little Egg Harbor. Banks and Ernst congratulated the class on their accomplishments. Those congratulations matched those from parents and friends in the audience who filled the auditorium. The ceremony was televised to an overflow crowd in the gymnasium. The traditional ceremony included “Pomp and Circumstance” as played by the school’s band. Senior members of the high-school chorus came downstage to perform in-between speeches. But, there were also untraditional elements
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Cherokee’s Class of 2017 Told to ‘Dream Big’ During Send Off By Scott Kern
For the Pine Barrens Tribune
EVESHAM—On this past Friday night, June 16, a humid summer evening, Cherokee High School celebrated its 40th Annual commencement exercises at the William H. Foltz Stadium. The Cherokee Symphonic Band, directed by D. Michael Lynch, kicked off the festivities with processional music as 567 graduating Cherokee seniors, proudly wearing brown and white gowns, walked the track circling the football field. Parents, friends and family members cheered on the Class of 2017 carrying balloons, waving signs and snapping photographs. Salutatorian Pooja Patel provided the welcome address. Patel’s opening remarks highlighted her unique experience as a Cherokee Chief as well as the optimism she feels as she and her fellow classmates ready themselves for the next steps in their respective journeys. She concluded her remarks quoting William Shakespeare: “It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.” Donna Charlesworth, principal of Cherokee North, addressed the Class of 2017 next. She provided a recap of senior year and highlighted the Powder Puff football victory, Mr. Cherokee competition, Disney Trip, Senior Prom, Cherokee 38 and South Jersey Group 4 Championship season. She also spoke about family themes, building relationships and continuing to strive to be a ‘community of people’ when they leave this campus tonight. “Tonight we are one town, one pride, one tribe,” Charlesworth said. “A Chief is someone
in charge of his own destiny. Always dream big, work hard and carry your Cherokee Pride with you wherever you go. Remember your roots trace back to Cherokee. You will always bleed orange. Once a Chief. Always a Chief.” Michael McShane, president of the school’s Class of 2017, presented the class gift to the administration. McShane used the opportunity to remind his fellow students that there are endless opportunities to succeed in life. Assistant Principal Christopher Callinan recognized outstanding academic achievement, including Straight-A students, Perfect Attendance and Top 10 Percent of Class. Athletic Director Scott Agnew acknowledged seniors receiving financial awards as well as those students committing to military service upon graduation. McShane and Student Council President Daniel Schwartz read the names of the graduating seniors during the presentation of diplomas. Valedictorian Matthew DeCesare concluded the ceremony. DeCesare fondly recalled endless days of video games and 3-on-3 basketball. He poked fun at his older brother, Mark, Valedictorian of the Class of 2014, and thanked his parents and friends for helping him make this journey. DeCesare concluded his speech quoting the 1986 movie, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” “Life moves pretty fast,” he said. “If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Congratulations to the Cherokee High School Class of 2017 from this “former” Cherokee High School Graduate—Class of 1979.