Vernon seniors graduate into future

VERNON — Mother Nature was kind enough to hold off her rain showers last Friday while the Vernon Township High School class of 2018 entered the stadium for the last time as seniors, and exited for the first time as VTHS graduates.
Hundreds of spectators filled the stadium, clutching flowers, congratulatory balloons, and teddy bears wearing caps and gowns. They broke out into cheers and applause as the procession of blue and gold, led by a lone bagpiper, circled the field. Excited shouts of “Way to go seniors!” filled the air.
Echoed through the speeches by Dr. Pauline Anderson, principal, Frank Incarnato, class president, Ana Oyloa, valedictorian, Maya Rakoczy, salutatorian and others, were hopes of confidence, perseverance, peace, happiness, strength and truth as the 239 graduates sat perched on the precipice of new beginnings.
Some will head off to college, others to work and those going off to serve our country were singled out with a special thank you of appreciation.
The graduates were reminded to be grateful the people around them, to be strong in times of stress and to be optimistic the face of pessimism.
Anderson admired their actions in response to the events that unfolded around them. “You responded to the news of school shootings through moments of silence, walkouts and voter registration drives,” Anderson said, reminding them of the power each hold.
Sprinkled among laughter and reflections of good times were tears of sadness as they remembered their fellow student, Vincent Ventriglia who lost his battle with cancer last December.
Principal Anderson fondly remembered their actions of love and support to each other and to the Ventriglia family.
Intertwined with the sadness were stories of strength and unity. Stories of how Vinny brought them together and how they learned what support meant through ‘gold out days’ and superhero costumes.
He was remembered as a friendly, likeable actor, dancer and singer who brought out the best in people. “Let him be your inspiration,” Brad Sparta, president of the Board of Education said.
In a tribute to Vinny, the band played a somber song of letting go ‘from your hands to the hands of God,” while members of the choir presented the Ventriglia family with a remembrance gift.
Family members, clutching the cap and gown Vinny should have been wearing, held a picture of the 18 year old high above their heads. Falling into a group hug in sorrow, as the song neared its end and the thunderous applause began, Mother Nature let her drops of rain fall.