Hoboken High School’s 93 seniors celebrated years of hard work during their graduation ceremony on Friday, June 22 at JFK Stadium.
Ninety-six percent of the graduates are moving on to two- and four-year colleges. They include Boston University, the University of Connecticut, New York University, Syracuse, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Hoboken’s own Stevens Institute of Technology.
This year’s Hoboken High School valedictorian was Lizeth Oliva. The salutatorian was Ivelisse Lorenzo. Oliva will attend New York University’s School of Engineering in the fall. Lorenzo plans to take pre-med courses at Drew University in Madison, N.J.
The ceremony included speeches by Principal Robin Piccapietra, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Christine Johnson, and Mayor Ravi Bhalla.
“It’s the time to take on this world.” – Superintendent Christine Johnson
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Words of wisdom
Piccapietra urged the graduates to meet their challenges head on and to not wait for someone else to tell them they can accomplish something. “You are capable,” she said. “You can do whatever you set your mind to. I have seen it firsthand.”
She added, “Over the past years, you have had so many supports, whether it was in school or at home. We asked you to advocate for yourself. And then slowly we would let go a little more and a little more. Until we get to this very moment where we have let you go. You are ready….you have the tools in your tool box; now all you have to do is use them.”
Johnson told the graduates how proud she was of them and their accomplishments, including athletic championships, academic accolades, musical and theater awards, and more.
“Now is the time for you to shine…when your dreams are within reach and possibilities are vast,” said Johnson. “Now is the time for you to become the people you have dreamed of being. Now is the time to take on this world.”
Mayor Ravi Bhalla offered several pieces of advice and advised graduates to remember their societal obligations, including to uplift those who need help.
“Work hard, remain humble, dream big, and never, never underestimate the power that you have to make a positive difference for our city, our country, and our world,” the mayor said.
Scholarships mount
The Class of 2018 earned $13.4 million in merit scholarships for academics, leadership, and athletics from colleges and universities from all across the country. They also earned over $51,000 in local scholarships from organizations, associations, and family programs and over $2.5 million in scholarships from RaiseMe.com a Micro-Scholarship Program run on-line.
This is almost $5 million more than last year’s total and is seven times the amount from four years ago.
RaiseMe.com allows all high school students to track their accomplishments such as good grades and extracurricular activities and earn scholarship dollars.
After the ceremony, Superintendent Johnson said, “The opportunities and possibilities facing these compassionate, kind, and considerate students are truly endless. I look forward to seeing them soar to even greater heights.”
Marilyn Baer can be reached at marilynb@hudsonreporter.com.
