North Bergen High School graduated 586 students at Bruins Stadium June 26. Both the valedictorian and salutatorian are Cuban immigrants whose families brought them stateside for a better life.
Valedictorian Camilo Castro has only been in the country for a few years. He attributes his success to his father’s sacrifices and discipline in getting his family to America. After moving to North Bergen from West New York in 2015, Castro spent the following three years earning a 4.8 GPA at NBHS. He will major in computer science at the Rochester Institute of Technology.
In his speech, he cautioned his colleagues that now they have to become more independent as young adults.
“Now, we go into the scary world of adulting, where we wake up early, go to work, and keep acting like teenagers,” he said. “It’s a big change – I know. Change has been the most radical thing in my life, but it’s not as scary as it sounds.”
Salutatorian Lisett Gouyonnet first came to America at 12 with her mother and sister. Her North Bergen schooling career began with learning English at the Robert Fulton Annex School. She participated in multiple school activities, such as the Key Club, math club, and volleyball team. She is also a worship leader in her church, and spends hours tutoring young children.
Gouyonnet plans to study political science and English at Mt. Holoyoke College. She pushed fellow graduates to take in this joyous moment, and brace for what’s to come.
“I urge you to enjoy this time,” Gouyonnett said. “To feel the grass under your feet, because tomorrow’s sun and tomorrow’s grass will not feel the same. Today is a brand new day, with brand new lessons. What we celebrate today will be our progress tomorrow.”
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“Feel the grass under your feet, because tomorrow’s sun and tomorrow’s grass will not feel the same.” — Lisett Gouyonnet
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Be adaptable
North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco assured the kids that uncertainty was okay. “You now have to make decisions that affect you for the rest of your lives,” he told the kids. “Do I go to a two-year college? Do I go out into the workforce?”
Sacco mentioned his own struggles, repeatedly switching schools when he was younger. He advised the kids to at least try college for a year before deciding a course of action, and told them it’s all right to change their minds.
This year, NBHS students racked up a series of competitive achievements as well, the mayor mentioned, before the ceremony. The school’s girls’ softball team placed first in the Hudson County Softball Championships. The girls’ track team also placed first in both the North Hudson and Hudson County Track Championships (the boys’ track team placed second in the latter championships and first in the former this year).
Hannington Dia can be reached at hd@hudsonreporter.com
