CLARK — Arthur L. Johnson High School (ALJ) held its 68th commencement ceremony on June 19, with Clark and Garwood municipal and school district leaders, family members, friends, teachers, administrators and others on hand to celebrate the Class of 2024.
Assistant Principal Katrina Poskay served as master of ceremonies for the event. Senior Class President Zoey Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance and Marianna Milara sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Processional leaders included Zoey Brown and Student Council President Shannon Lancellotti.
Salutatorian Taylor Normann encouraged her fellow graduates to approach the future without fear. “When you leave here today and move on to go to either college, trade school, job, military or wherever your path may lead, I want you to remember to embrace the change. Confront the fear. And don’t forget where you came from,” she said.
Marianna Milara and ALJ alumnus Judah Gray performed a duet of the song “Unwritten,” by Natasha Bedingfield.
Zoey Brown reflected on her own experience at ALJ. “If each of our lives is a book, then each of our books is a different volume to the series we call ALJ. The final pages may be written here tonight, as peers add their final words and memory of switching their tassel from right to left,” she stated. “Some of us may be introducing the new book in our series at the college of our dreams in the next two months, some going into the trade they are fascinated and driven by, and others may not be sure where their pages take them next, and that is okay.”
Clark Public School District Superintendent Edward Grande shared the honors, accolades and pursuits of the Class of 2024, mentioning that this class collectively received over $14.5 million in scholarships.
ALJ Principal Tara Oliveira also addressed the graduating class, saying, “Undoubtedly, you have learned a lot over the course of your four years. Think back to your first day of freshman year at ALJ. I’m sure you were nervous yet excited about the unknown. Remember, the friendships that you forged in the classrooms, on the playing fields, the late nights you spent studying or laughing. These are the moments that have shaped you. That have defined the Arthur L. Johnson chapters of your life.”
Valedictorian Grace Wright talked about following one’s passion and getting out of one’s comfort zone. “What are you passionate about? What do you think about for hours on end that you just can’t seem to shake? What do you need, crave, to make yourself feel whole? What ignites a fire so big and bright inside you that it’s too painful to keep it in?” she asked the class to consider.
The 160 graduates were awarded their diplomas by board of education members, with names announced by Abigail Henkel, who served as student representative to the Clark Board of Education, and Shannon Lancellotti.
Ms. Poskay concluded the ceremony by wishing the students “Blessings, peace, protection and happiness on all of the adventures that lie ahead of you. You will always be Crusaders and this will always be your home. Make us proud.”
