Seniors will say 'so long' at graduation tonight
Ceremonies scheduled at six high schools in regional district
BY TALI ISRAELI
Correspondent

There will be 2,894 proud students graduating from the Freehold Regional High School District's six schools tonight, June 20.

Colts Neck High School's 462 seniors will bid farewell to their friends and teachers at 6:30 p.m. in ceremonies on the school's football field.

FRHSD Superintendent of Schools James Wasser and FRHSD board members Kathie Lavin and Christopher Placitella will be presenting the graduates with their diplomas.

Principal Christina Steffner said the class of 2007 is special because this is the largest graduating class the school has ever had and because several of the student-athletes graduating tonight have earned national recognition.

Howell High School's graduation will begin at 6 p.m. at the school's athletic stadium. Assistant Superinten-dent of Schools Frank Tanzini and FRHSD board members Joan Leimbach and Kathie Lavin will be presenting 495 graduates with their diplomas.

Principal Zina Duerbig said the class of 2007 is special to her because it is the first graduating class she has seen through all four years.

"The class of 2007 is a class of generosity and character. They have demonstrated the value of true friendship and the sweet taste of simple kindness. They gave tirelessly of themselves to help a child with cancer, they constructed a memorial tribute and moreover, they watch out for each other," Duerbig said.

Freehold High School's graduation will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the Cal Wilson football field. Wasser and FRHSD board member Diana Cappiello will be presenting 340 graduates with their diplomas tonight.

Parents and relatives of Michael Dragonetti and James Warnock, two seniors who were killed in a car accident on Jan. 10, will be guest speakers at tonight's ceremony. They will also be accepting diplomas on behalf of the two boys.

Principal Linda Jewell said this year's graduating class has a strong sense of family.

"The members of the Freehold High School class of 2007 have achieved many wonderful things and everyone who has worked with this class recognizes that they are, without question, a very special group who leaves a legacy for those who will follow," Jewell said.

"This legacy includes not only their many tangible and remarkable accomplishments, but perhaps even more importantly, who they were and how they acted during the darkest of days in January when we, as a school community, lost three young men," she said.

Freehold Township High School's 554 seniors will receive their diplomas on the football field at 6 p.m. tonight. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Suzanne Koegler and FRHSD board members Patricia Horvath, Michael Wright and Bunny Hammer, whose grandson is graduating, will be presenting the diplomas.

The valedictorian of Freehold Township's class of 2002, Justin Klein, will be a guest speaker this evening. Klein is currently attending Columbia Law School. His remarks will be in keeping with a tradition in which the valedictorian from five years earlier returns to address the graduating class.

Principal Elizabeth Higley said this year's seniors personified the meaning of school spirit.

"They have set goals, gone after them and achieved them. They are industrious, talented and most importantly great individuals who worked together to achieve many common goals. They exemplified what it means to be part of the Patriot Family and they have set a high standard for future classes," Higley said.

Manalapan High School's 481 seniors will say goodbye to their teachers and friends at 6 p.m. tonight on the school's athletic field.

FRHSD Assistant Superintendent and Business Admin-istrator Joan Saylor and FRHSD board member Ronald G. Lawson will be presenting the graduates with their diplomas.

The school's poet laureate, Eric Chiang, was selected by the English Department to address the graduating class. He will be reading a poem he wrote.

Principal Anthony Procopio said what makes the members of the class of 2007 special is that they are a cohesive group.

"They were able to sponsor and organize a 5-mile walk/run to honor (late MHS graduate) Carlee Wines and raise more than $40,000," Procopio said.

During his speech, Procopio will ask the graduates to pay forward the efforts, kindness and sacrifices their parents and teachers have provided for them.

Marlboro High School's 562 seniors will be graduating tonight at 6 p.m. Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Patricia Emmerman and FRHSD board member Bonnie Sue Rosenwald will be presenting the graduates with their diplomas.

Principal James Mullevey said the members of this year's class are special because they received the highest honors of any class in Marlboro's history and the best college placement.

During his speech, Mullevey will quote Robert Frost's "The Road Less Traveled," urging the graduates to always strive to do their best. Mullevey is retiring at the end of the school year, making this his last graduation ceremony.