Schools

Class of 2011: Small But Mighty

In their last day together as classmates, 180 seniors receive their diplomas.

Kayla Delgado walked into four years ago with a bulky hiking backpack and a mouthful of braces.

Friday night, she left a graduate—with perfect teeth.

“It’s awesome,” Delgado said of graduating. “It makes the last four years worth it.”

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One-hundred-eighty students took their final steps as seniors Friday night as the school held its 45th annual commencement ceremony. In what was known as the smallest class in recent history, Principal Darlene Llewellyn said they packed a big punch, especially in the face of tragedy.

The district suffered the sudden deaths of two this school year.

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“This has been the most difficult year in the school’s history,” Llewellyn said. “But, the seniors stepped up and became leaders of this school.”

The graduates also secured $3.3 million in college grants and scholarships, $1 million more than the next highest amount given out to a graduating class with 100 more students.

Valedictorian Daniel McGann told his classmates to make new friends this summer and talk to people they wouldn’t normally talk to; that’s what happened to him this year, he said.

“The friends I made really made my time here what it was,” McGann said.

He’ll head to Rutgers this fall to study engineering.

Cinnaminson High School boasted co-salutatorians this year, Aaron Doll and Albert Montemuro III.

Doll started CHS in his junior year and told his class, “There are people willing to help us through the challenges, and may we not forget to help others as well.”

Montemuro reminded his fellow graduates that change could come when they least expect it.

“Many of us do not know where we are going,” Montemuro said, “and all of us are going places we’ve never been.”

, CHS class president, reminisced about all four years of high school—from freshman orientation to the senior prom.

“We have grown up together,” she told her class.

Newton passed the gavel to Ian Albasi, president-elect for the Class of 2012.

The concert and chamber choirs seniors sang for the last time together, performing CHS’ alma mater and song of farewell, with hands held and tears in their eyes.

“It’s going to be sad,” said Zach Deeney, a graduate. “You grew up with these people. They are an extension of my family. But, everyone is going onto better things.”

Deeney said he wants to spend time with his friends this summer before going to Burlington County College to major in psychology to be a crisis counselor.

Aileen Callaghan said she was more excited for graduation than she anticipated.

“It’s great,” Callaghan said. “Senior year was more memorable than I thought it would be. But, I’ll remember the people. It’s not the events, it’s the people.”

Eric Fraga will attend Monmouth University this fall to major in business. He hopes to have his MBA.

But, this day doesn’t signify the end for him necessarily.

“I don’t think it’s hit me yet,” he said. “It will probably hit me when everybody leaves in August.”

Check out a photo gallery of graduation here.


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