The Alternative Press

SCOTCH PLAINS,NJ – A sea of blue comprised of 369 graduates braving the heat could be seen Thursday evening at the Scotch Plains/Fanwood High School.

The ceremony lasted just a little over an hour, as all speakers kept it brief in honor of the 95 degree heat.  The speakers included Principal Dr David Heisey, the valedictorian Varshini Nariyani, President of the Board of Education Trip Whitehouse, the 2012 class President Naomi Joseph and Superintendent Dr. Margaret Hayes.

Rosalie DePaola, daughter of Mayor DePaola, was one of the graduates from the class of 2012.  “It felt almost unreal because we’ve just been together for so long, we kept saying ‘this can’t be happening’. I can’t believe we actually made it!”   Her defining moment was “when we moved our tassels because that was our moment of unity, the moment we became alumni and not just students.” 

Rosalie will be attending the university of Notre Dame and majoring in chemistry. When asked if she felt that SPF High School had prepared her for college, her response was   “Absolutely, I feel that the classes and the teachers have really prepared me for college.  When I went to Notre Dame and I met someone from Summit who had not covered what we did in Chemistry, so I think we have an advantage over even town that are close to us.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2012, and may the sea of blue keep rolling on.