By MADDY VITALE
Determination, perseverance, and above all, uniqueness, are some of the qualities that make the Ocean City High School Class of 2020 stand out, Principal Dr. Matt Jamison told graduates seated in Carey Stadium to mark their milestone on Thursday.
The graduates are unique in many ways, Jamison emphasized.
They were born in the shadows of 9/11. They started school during a recession and in middle school they faced challenges living at the shore when Superstorm Sandy hit in 2012.
Yet, through it all, the students’ unwavering strength allowed them to forge ahead and achieve great things, Jamison noted.
“The determination, the perseverance – the Class of 2020 has a true spirit of our nation,” Jamison said.
The graduation, which was one of the few in the state due to COVID-19, offered the students a commencement.
“This is for you,” Jamison said.
While parents and families were not allowed in the stadium until the very end of the ceremony, they stood outside the gates of Carey Stadium, whistled and applauded for their graduates, and celebrated.
Due to Gov. Phil Murphy’s order that there may be no more than 500 people assembled at an outdoor event because of the coronavirus, only graduates and school faculty were permitted in the stadium.
Video courtesy of Martin Fiedler, Just Right TV Productions
The ceremony was livestreamed for families and friends to view in real time at https://www.youtube.com/user/OCNJSchools. There was an 18-foot video screen in the parking lot adjacent to the stadium for parents to watch.
During the commencement ceremony, which began with a procession from Fifth Street and the Boardwalk onto the field, seniors Haley Stanks and Joshua Barnes gave farewell speeches.
Haley spoke of all of the accomplishments of the Class of 2020.
“We’ve been preparing to be seniors since September 6, 2016, and we truly left our mark on OCHS this year,” she said. “Though we never could have predicted that our last day of high school would be March 16, 2020, we all must remember what great memories we made during our high school years. What matters is not how much time we had but what we did with the time we were given together, and trust me, we’ve done a lot.”
Joshua spoke of unity.
“To me, our generation’s legacy is critical. I do not know about you, but I refuse to allow history to describe us as those who crippled the planet or allowed political gridlock to become the norm,” he said. “In order to effect real, and most importantly, impactful change, we must unite.”
Later in his address, he offered this advice to his fellow graduates, “As high school graduates, we must remember that we play for the same team: Team Humanity. Everybody in this arena today shares one goal, one passion, one desire: to make our lives, our country, and our world the best place possible.”
In all, the Class of 2020 included 325 students. Reflecting the school colors, girls wore white cap and gowns, while the boys dressed in red.
Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor recognized the graduates as exceptional. She noted that they are “savvy” and excellent communicators.
“Every generation looks to the next generation for leaders,” she said.
The Class of 2020 represented leaders.
“The leaders make decisions that are fair. They make wise choices. I know you are that generation,” Dr. Taylor noted.
Dr. Taylor also recognized the families who watched from outside the stadium, waving her arms in the area.
She added of the graduates, “Now you are ready to make our community stronger.”
At the end of the ceremony, students gathered with their friends for photos, before meeting up with their family and other friends who were allowed on the field at the end of the program.
For Amara Mulloy, the day meant an ending of one important chapter, but the beginning of another at St. Joseph’s University.
Surrounded by her friends and family who congratulated her, she said what the day symbolized for her.
“I’m so excited,” she said. “Having a graduation commencement made it feel like an ending.”
Jack Bogart, of Sea Isle City, and his best friend, Liam Millar, of Ocean City, chatted with their new diplomas in hand.
“It was a nice ceremony, considering everything. At least they did something. A lot of the other schools didn’t have anything,” Jack said.
Jennifer and Jeff Shirk, of Ocean City, couldn’t wait to see their daughter, Juliette, after the ceremony to celebrate. Juliette will be going on to the University of Delaware.
“It was very nice that the whole class could see each other in person one last time,” Jennifer Shirk said.
Kathy and Mark Reimet, of Ocean City, watched their son, Todd, graduate. Todd is heading to Rowan University.
“I thank the administration for how they put the kids first,” Kathy Reimet said.
Mark Reimet added, “It is such a cool feeling. Vacationers watching can see what a close community we are.”
The Ocean City Police Department assisted throughout the ceremony. School officials said that the event would not have been possible without the help of the police department, Mayor Jay Gillian, the Board of Education and the City’s Public Works Department.
The Class of 2020:
*Andrew Michael Affanato
Gavin Michael Allegretto
+**Robin Hana Altman
Joseph Jacob Ardelean
Donald Jeremy Argoe
Christopher Luke Armstrong
+**Kelsey May Arnold
+**Kayla Grace Attiya
**Ava Grace Auwarter
**Jack Cameron Baker
+**Joshua Paul Barnes
William Henry Barnes
+**Jay Patrick Barrett
Daesha Bryanna Beachaump
◦+**Cole Michael Becker
*Brian David Beckmann, Jr.
+*Abigail Elizabeth Bennett
Adriana Maria Bertucci
James William Bishop, V
*John George Bogart
Anthony Joseph Bongiorno
+**Brynn Valerie Bowman
Rebecka Elizabeth Brandenburg
*Kelly Lynn Branin
*Grace Patricia Broschard
*Haley Nicole Broschard-Hoster
**Cynthia Melissa Brown
*Riley Elizabeth Brown
+**Grace Noel Burke
*Mary Anne Burke
*Samuel Kelley Burns
+**Nicole Ann Cappolina
David Joseph Caracciolo
**Juliana Lynn Carmean
Joshua Karl Carmona
*Cameryn Susan Carr
+**Kate Josephine Carter
+**Max Andrew Carter
David Benjamin Chakov
+**Eve Robyn Chiarello
Martina Antonia Citera
+**Jenna Ann Clark
**Maggie Elizabeth Clunn
**Katherine Grace Coffey
Anthony Santino Conte
Louis Joseph Conte
*Margaret Helen Corcoran
Kathleen Elizabeth Cossaboone
Anthony Francis Costa
◦*Evan Ferdinand Couval
+**Ava Christine Cozamanis
*Phoenix James Crager
◦+**Abigail Maria Craige
+**Megan Joann Crawford
Brandon Thomas Creamer
Alyson Elisabeth Curtin
+**Joseph Paul D’Amico, Jr.
Jenna Catherine Dahl
Abigail Paige Davis
Sara Anna Delgrande
*Keely Rose DeMarco
+**Ashley Nicole Devlin
+**Cameron Anthony DiTroia
+**Carly Elizabeth Dougherty
+**Alyson Leigh Doyle
+**Tanner Daniel Driscoll
Andrew Richard Eget
*Olivia Rose Eggie
**Gabrielle Rose Eiler
*Aidan Thomas Emberger-Stiglitz
+**Louisa Marie Esposito
Frank Peter Fabi, III
*Jillian Rose Falvo
**Michael Patrick Farley, Jr.
Lindsay Kathleen Farmer
Rhiannon Skylar Faustino
Colby Thomas Felix
Matthew Thomas Feng
+**Abigail Sara Fenton
**Emma Joy Finnegan
+**Michael Edward Flynn
+**William Gustafson Flynn, III
*Justin Alan Forman
Brian Charles Foulke
**Regan Mary Fredericks
*McKenna Grace Fuller
Zachary Thomas Fulmer
Gabriella Divine Gagliardi
◦*Joseph Michael Gardner
Anthony Rudy Garrett
Caleb Emerson Gartner
+**Alberto Gaytan
Kayla Angelina Geisler
+**Juliana Rose Giardina
*Sydney Gayle Gillette
+**Sophia Rose Ginet
Zachary David Ginet
Eziah Zaire Granger
*Margaux Lafont Gray
*Lucy Carpenter Greene
Eric William Greenling
+**Shane Alexander Gremo
+**Theodore Dennis Grimley
Zoe Alisa Gross
*Jacqueline Hope Gruber-Kolmer
*Anthony Martin Guerrera
*Elaina Rose Guido
+**Marissa Rose Guido
*Reghan Lohr Handley
+**Gabrielle Renee Hart
**Trevor John Hazlett
+**Lauren Marie Heraux
Andrew Jace Hillegass
*Ashley Jean Hoffman
Jacob Reilly Hoffmann
Thomas Robert Hoffmann
*Tyler Wayne Hogg
Lana Rose Holthoff-Rekeda
**Fisher Dennis Hudak
Hannah Marie Iannace
+**Eric Christian Ibarra
+**Joseph Matthew Innocente
+**Mary Grace Jamison
+**Alexa Joan Japzon
David Laurence Jefferson
**Isabella Marie Johnson
+**Margaret Claire Kane
*Kelsie Alexys Karrer
**Michael Lee Katsiff
*Hannah Nicole Keane
◦**Jacob Benjamin Kellner
*Joseph Michael Kelly, Jr.
Max Wilson Kelly
*Megan Marie Kelly
**Michael Patrick Kelly
*Shane Thomas Kirby
*Mary Margaret Kirchhoff
*Ashley Nicole Kirn
**Tyler David Kirn
**Rachel Marie Krajicek
*Luke Samson Kramer
Noah Evan Kuhns
*Sarah Rose Kuperstein
Shaun Nicholas Hayward Lackman
**Delaney Mae Lappin
**Julian Lyle Lechner
*John Robert LeNoir
*Sydney Jane Leonard
**Noam Effraim Levy-Smith
Charles Cole Lewis
Tyler Jesse Lewis
Serena Mei Shing Lin
John Edward LLoyd
Nadia Rae Longfellow
+**Aura Maria Lopez
Mary Elizabeth Loteck
Kareem Amir Robert Lovest
Danna Luciano-Rodriguez
Cameron Scott MacDonald
+**Chloe Annalise Mack
+**Ryleigh Barbara Mack
Seaira Antoinette Manning
+**Nathan Thomas Marple
*Joseph Cole Marshello
*Izabel Ayline Martinez
Jenna Lynn Mason
*Ashley Marie Mathers
Isabella Nicole Mavilla
+**Kathryn Elizabeth Mazzitelli
*Maclain Richard McAllister
Ethan Patrick McCarron
**Sophia Grace McCarty
Nickolas Aaron McDaniels
**Molly Grace McGonigle
**Colin Francis Stephen McHugh
Jacob Ryan McKenna
+**Casey Jane McLees
Joseph Carlo Melini
+**Sophia Theresa Meyler
◦Liam Devlin Millar
*Rebecca Rose Millar
**Jaden Porter Millstein
+**Lauren Elissa Mirsky
+**Meredith Katelyn Moon
+**Jordan Elizabeth Moyer
Lucas Emanuel Mozes
Ethan Thomas Mullins
Amara Mackenzie Mulloy
*Ava Marie Mumman
**Emily Elizabeth Myers
Luke David Neff
*Aidan Douglas Nelson
+**Kelly Lynn Nyman
Cathryn Elizabeth O’Boyle
**Ellen Grace O’Brien
*Bridget Anne O’Kane
◦+**Thomas Charles Oves
Lane Finley Owens
*Isabella Danielle Pagan
Laura Faith Pagano
Trent Keen Palmer
William Dempsey Palmer
*David Aaron Palomeque
Christian Daniel Palzer
*Jaylen Bea Pates
Aidan Anthony Pearce
**Rebecca Mae Perrin
*Samantha Jolie Perro
**Haleigh Gibson Perry
+**Kiley Marie Pettit
Jeremiah Linehan Pfeifle
*Jade Elizabeth Phelps
+**Thomas Dominick Piernikowski
Ryan Tyler Pierpoint
*Hailee Izabella Pietrowitz
*Morgan Marie Pizagno
*Andrea Molly Posner
*Brooke Nicole Powell
Madison Elise Presnall
*Chloe Madison Prettyman
*Colin Joseph Quade
+**Molly Grace Reardon
**Matthew Joseph Rebock
**Paige Elizabeth Redrow
**Aidan Alexandre Reid
*Carly Brooke Reighard
Todd Mark Reimet
Madeline Cairone Reola
Blake Anthony Louis Restuccio
Rodolfo Reyna
◦**Sophia Gabrielle Richmond
*Ava Elizabeth Ritzel
Ethan Benjamin Roberts
+**Victoria Lily Robertson
**Madison Shea Rocap
Emma Grace Rodriguez
Faustino Martin Rodriguez
Jessica Crystal Rowell
James John Callihan Ryba
**Emma Rose Sacco
Erik Sacramento-Morales
*Marina Rose Salugta
**Grace Alexa Sando
Nicholas Thomas Sannino
Shane Patrick Sanza
+**Emma Lynne Sardy
**Jacob Matthew Savino
+**Claudia Rose Scherbin
*Alexia Renee Schmidt
*Conrad Richard Schmidt
*Caitlyn Alexandra Seeger
+*Juliette Simmons Shirk
+**Maura Rachel Siciensky
+**Courtney Valentine Sigmund
**David Anthony Simpson
**Carl Hayden Smallwood
Sarah Crystal Smith
*Henry Lee Souto
George Hugh Spackman
◦+**Matthew Alan Specht
+**Haley Kathryn Stanks
Jacquelyn Leanne Steelman
Jennifer Nicole Stevens
**Courtney Paige Stoerrle
Ethan David Stokes
Andrew Walter Argoe Stremme
*Brad Edward Sturgess, Jr.
**Kira Lynn Sturgess
Georgia Leigh Sullivan
Emily Grayce Sustek
**Joshua Russell Swensen
James Patrick Swift, IV
Yuliana Tapia-Lopez
*Shannon Marie Threet
Jaden Raymond Tocci-Rogers
+**Alexander David Town
+**Kira Eileen Tracy
+**Kai Kale Tripician
Ashton Jordan Ungehajer
*Meredith Marie Urban
*Paul Krish Urban
*Gabriella Marie Verducci
*Margaret Rose Vittorini
*Taylor Grace Wade
Micah Robert Francis Waid
*Sean Michael Walsh
Jared Nino Warrington
*Kaitlyn Elizabeth Whilden
Peter Kenneth Wiggins
Erika Lynn Wilde
+**Louis Edward Williams
Michael Andrew Williscroft, Jr.
Andrew Jacob Wilson
*Elizabeth Marie Wilson
Issac Amadaeous Isiah Wilson
Evelyn Blyler Wines
Eric Austin Winter
Niky’ Ja’lil Worthington
Brian Spenser Wright
Trevor James Robert Wright
**Soleil Kai Yakita
*Aidan Daniel Yarger
*Marina Alexia Yiannos
+**Maclain Alan Young
+**Konnor Paul Yunghans
**Alyssa Rose Zimmerman
