Monday’s graduation from Hoboken High School was a turning point for 160 seniors. As students walked up to the stage to receive their diplomas from school officials, proud parents wearing their Sunday best snapped pictures and cheered on their pride-and-joys with unabashed satisfaction.
In their farewell addresses, valedictorian Nimesh Kshatriya and salutatorian Kevin Gonzalez cherished the wide breadth of their school experience and friends that they will miss, but seemed to approach the future with a dizzying sense of excitement.
"It seemed like it was just yesterday that we took our first step to success," said Gonzalez, as he addressed the capacity crowd at the Canavan Arena on the Stevens campus. "[Along the way], there have been lots of love, some regrets, but most definitely a lot of hard work."
Gonzalez sent off the new graduates with a message of optimism and hope. "May your lives never be generic," he said. "Because our past was not, our instruction was not, and our love was not."
Gonzalez, who will be staying in Hoboken and attending Stevens Institute of Technology, was captain of the football team and active in the drama club, where in the past two years he performed in Westside Story and On With the Show. He was president of French Club, in the Italian Club, Math Club, and academic bowl, and was president of the Student Council. In addition to a bevy of academic awards, he was also presented with a $5,000 scholarship from Metro Homes for scholastic achievement at Tuesday’s commencement ceremony.
When Kshatriya gave his speech, he thanked his parents for supporting and teaching him. "Let us not forget how we got here," he said. "You have been my guiding light for the past 17 years. You have taught me so much. I love you guys."
He added that he and his classmates should approach the future as a mission to be successful, without fear of failure. "A great man once said that the only great mistake is the one that you learn nothing from," he said.
Kshatriya, who will be attending Rutgers in the fall and plans to study finance, was a member of the Harvard Model Nations, the academic bowl, the Math Club, French Club, and the varsity tennis team. He volunteers his time as a member of Serve America, and was active in the Hispanic Culture Club.
On hand to give the keynote address was Hoboken Mayor and Hoboken High School graduate David Roberts.
"Together you have reached the conclusion of this stage of your educational career," he said. "There are going to be many challenges that you all will face down the road, and along the way never forget the important role your family and parents have and will play."
Hoboken High School Principal John Lavagnino also addressed the graduates with a few words of encouragement. "You must strive for the highest level of personal success," he said, "because it the pursuit of personal success that insures the success of the society that we are all a part of."