On Thursday, 64 students gathered with their teachers, friends, and family to celebrate their graduation from Weehawken High School and prepare for their first steps into the “real” world.
School administrators commended the graduates for their dedication to hard work on all levels, but for valedictorian Rutul Amin, that hard work was just a reflection of what had been invested in the class from others.
“There would be no ‘Class of 2011’ if people didn’t want to see one,” she said.
A testament to all of the students’ hard work is the amount of money that they have been awarded in scholarship and grant money – a total of $5,044,640.
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A rockin’ class
The Weehawken High School Jazz Ensemble provided musical entertainment for the evening, but according to at least one presenter it was the graduates who truly “rocked.”
Raye Ferullo, a former cheerleader, commended the students with a rousing cheer as she awarded the Louis A. Ferullo Memorial Scholarship to Kaitlyn Turner.
And the sentiment was echoed as over 20 categories of awards were presented to the students for everything from volunteer work to outstanding leadership.
Giselle Immerfall, Vanessa Perez, and Michelle Gonzalez received awards from the Woman’s Club of Weehawken for their achievements in math, science, and creative writing, respectively.
Leticia Diaz was presented with the Senior Class Recognition Award, Melina Tejada received the Student Council Award, and both Joseph Constante and Nidhi Goel were recognized with an award from the Weehawken and You Civic Association.
Overall, dozens of students were recognized for their efforts throughout the evening.
Project Graduation
Each year after the official graduation ceremony, students are transported via buses to Stevens Institute of Technology for Project Graduation, an annual school-sponsored party that keeps high school students in a safe, alcohol-free environment and away from private parties where they might drink and drive.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.