Approximately seventy seniors were scheduled to graduate from Weehawken High School Friday night, June 25.
Principal Dr. Peter Oliveiri said that each year, over 90 percent of Weehawken High School students go on to college. In addition, they tend to rack up a record amount of financial support each year – this year’s class has earned over $6 million dollars in scholarships and grants.
“Most of our kids do pretty good,” said Oliveiri.
Oliveiri added that the great number of co-curricular activities at the high school help the students to prepare for careers in various fields, such as work with the volunteer organization Peer Leadership.
A large percentage of Weehawken High School students take part in band – 60 of the 300 students in the school.
“I’m going to miss all the friends I made and how classes are so small.” – James McMahon
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Each year, beyond academics and financial aid, there is always something extra that makes the class stand out.
“Every class is unique in a different way,” said Oliveri. “But this particular class had the opportunity with the marching band to actually march down Main Street in Disney world. It was a beautiful thing that made this class a little different.”
Looking forward to freedom
Valedictorian Richard Turner, the son of Mayor Richard Turner, is headed to the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Maryland in the fall to study creative writing. Though he’s not sure which career track he’d like to follow, he’s looking forward to the freedom that college will bring.
“It’s always been a pleasure of mine growing up to write little things like short stories and stuff,” said Turner.
Turner acted as one of the editors in chief for the school newspaper, played golf for four years, participated on the Academic Team, and played snare drum in the marching band.
It was his time in the marching band that gave Turner one of his favorite memories of senior year – the band’s trip to Disney World.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Turner. “We were there for a week. We went to a couple parks and marched on Main Street.”
Turner said he will miss the friends and teachers he’s grown close with. But he knows college will provide even more of that experience.
“I just [want] to make the most of my college experience,” said Turner. “Have a good time and get the good grades.”
Work hard, play hard
For salutatorian James McMahon, the best thing about his time at Weehawken High School has been the small size of the school, which allowed close relationships to be formed.
“I’m going to miss all the friends I made and how classes are so small,” said McMahon. “And how you just know everyone in the school.”
McMahon will attend Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken in the fall to study either mechanical or electrical engineering.
“I always liked science and math,” said McMahon. “It was always my favorite subject in school.”
McMahon played on the baseball and basketball teams, participated on the Academic Team, and played alto saxophone in the marching band and jazz band.
McMahon plans to keep up with the sax on his own while he experiences the focused study of college.
“I’m looking forward to being able to study something that I’m going to do for the rest of my life,” he said. “I want to have as much fun as I can, but still keep up with the school work and do as well as I can.”
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.