Onward! Holmdel High School Sends Graduates Into the World

Holmdel High School released the Class of 2012 today with diploma books in hand, congratulating them on their successes and wishing them the courage to pursue their own paths in life. 

The cheerful graduates wore Holmdel Hornet blue and white robes. About three dozen of them wore the gold sash, identifying them as members of the National Honor Society. 

Superintendent of Schools Barbara Duncan told the class she felt wistful at their departure. They were just seventh graders when she started at the district, and she had enjoyed watching them flourish at the many art shows, concerts, pep rallies, cultural celebrations, athletic events, drama shows and scholastic competitions.

"You gave the best of yourself in everything you did, sacrificing sleep in the morning and family time in the evenings to study, to practice," she said. "You have been a joy. You have made my spirit grow, and for that I thank you." 

In her most recent report to the community, she proudly noted that the class included six National Merit Scholar Finalists; 32 Commended Scholars; 7 perfect 800 SAT scores on Critial Reading; 9 perfect 800 SAT scores on Math, and 10 perfect 800 SAT scores on writing. 

The 39th annual graduation ceremony was held indoors in the comfort of the Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College on an afternoon that saw temperatures race to the upper 90s. Beach time was clearly on the mind of the boys, who vexed the football coach, head of guidance, vice principal and others by pulling out inflatable beach balls over and over again from under their gowns, and bopping them around during some of the speeches and during the distribution of diplomas. 

Valedictorian Bowen Lu amused the assembly with his humorous take on the life of a student. In his thank you's, he made sure to include Wikipedia and Google. His plea to his fellow classmates was, "Live hard, sleep often, and never die."