By Maddy Vitale
Whether they will be pursuing a college education in Hawaii or Florida, joining the military, or going into a trade, 315 students representing the Ocean City High School Class of 2019 walked up to get their diplomas Monday wearing their red and white robes for their school colors.
And when the graduation ceremony at Carey Stadium was nearly finished, they turned their tassels, tossed their caps, and then there were cheers, hugs and triumph for completing one milestone and turning toward the future.
The welcome address by summa cum laude graduate Peter Horowitz focused on how far the students have progressed in just four years.
“We spent years studying, training, and socializing with that yearly reminder in June, where our seniors would turn their tassels and simultaneously open the door to chance. Well, just look how far we have come,” Horowitz said.
He continued, “We are now here, poised at the threshold of what lies ahead and somehow the fear of the unknown is dwarfed by the presence of opportunity.”
Horowitz told families and friends who filled the bleachers, “I know numerous students of this class who have proven just how capable we are. Students that have broken boundaries in art and photography.”
He added, “Those who are here today despite incredible adversity at home. Those who how founded charities and businesses. Even those who will be the first in their families to attend college.”
Horowitz told the graduating class that they have the power to achieve.
“Ocean City, today I ask you if you will take only one thing away from this speech, please let it be that right now, you have the power to mold your future and live the life you want to live,” he said.
The featured speaker was New Jersey Commissioner of Education Dr. Lamont Repollet.
When introducing the commissioner, Schools Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor explained how Repollet is in charge of everything from pre-kindergarten to college in the state and under his leadership, the students in the state and the quality of education has excelled.
“It is an honor to have him here,” she said.
Repollet told the students that there were certain things they have achieved throughout their school career.
He told the class to take all patience, perseverance and persistence that they have used throughout their academic career and apply it to the real world.
“It won’t be easy,” he noted.
But the students will persevere because they are “Red Raiders,” he said, referring to the name of the school’s athletic teams.
Repollet quoted the late champion tennis player, Arthur Ashe: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”
Then Repollet said, “We are all rooting for you.”
This was the first graduating class that did not have a class rank. Last spring school officials, with the input of student representatives, determined that it was better for the student body not to have that added pressure, officials said.
School Board President Joseph Clark said, “There isn’t the same pressure on the students, and they could make decisions on selecting classes based on what they are interested in more than just on how to get a higher GPA.”
He added, “Today was great to see it come full circle. I think it was the right thing to do and it really puts the focus on the students.”
In addition to the Class of 2019, some attendees sat in a special section reserved for graduates from 50 years ago, the Ocean City High School Class of 1969.
Principal Dr. Matt Jamieson said in his address that it was an honor to have them present for the graduation.
While threats of rain lingered, a late decision to keep the event outside proved to be the right one. Sun-splashed skies and a slight breeze kept the 80-plus degree temperature manageable, Clark said.
Student speaker Nora Faverzani, another summa cum laude graduate, seemed very at ease with delivering the farewell address.
She compared life’s journey to “connecting the dots.”
“As Steve Jobs once said in a commencement speech, ‘You can’t connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backwards,”‘ Faverzani said.
She continued, “As we went through the last four years at OCHS, each event may have seemed inconsequential, chaotic, and without rhyme or reason. However, looking at it now these events are individual dots that came together to create the picture that is the Class of 2019. … We have the power to make our own dots and connect them to form our own amazing image. Each of us will find our way in the years ahead, adapting to challenges, overcoming obstacles, and most importantly leaving our mark on our community.”
In a statement, Repollet praised Faverzani, who served as student representative for the State Board of Education. He also spoke glowingly about the Ocean City school district.
“At each month’s meeting of the State Board of Education, we would receive an insightful report on student issues from Ocean City High School senior Nora Faverzani, who has served as the student representative to the board over the past year,” he noted. “I’ve been impressed by Nora and equally impressed by Ocean City schools. When I visited Ocean City High School, I was struck by the genuine sense of pride that the students and teachers have for their school. It is an honor to return to Ocean City for the Class of 2019 commencement ceremony.”
