GHS top students proud of Class of 2021

By ALBERT J. COUNTRYMAN JR.

The top three students in the Gloucester City High School Class of 2021 are very proud of their classmates, who worked hard to overcame pandemic obstacles of remote learning, hybrid schedules and then in-person learning.

They said it was an unusual journey to graduation, but the 112 seniors persevered and received their diplomas Friday evening, June 11.

The Gloucester City News interviewed the top students on June 10, and they are all looking to the future.

Valedictorian Thomas Billings

“We’ve done a wonderful job overcoming obstacles. Gloucester City High School is a vibrant community. Even with on-line learning we still came together for some wonderful extra-curricular events,” said Thomas, whose parents John and Susan Billings and siblings Emma and Wade “have always supported my educational goals.”

Thomas will be attending Rutgers University, New Brunswick, this September and will major in Supply Chain Management.

“I have to be in upper level management as soon as I can. The pandemic showed how important the global supply chain can be,” he said.

As for fellow students at GHS, Thomas said, “I congratulate all my classmates. They are a wonderful group of people.”

During his four years, Thomas was on the swim and cross country teams, the state-champion Consumer Bowl team, was a member of the National Honor Society and served as a class officer.

Salutatorian Rachel Chen

“The Class of 2021 has been really resilient in overcoming obstacles. Even when virtual learning split us up, we were still able to come together and be close as a community,” said Rachel, whose mom, Qiao hua Chen, dad Muzhu Huang, and siblings Jennie Huang and Kelvin Chen “have been very supportive during by educational journey.”

Rachel will be attending Princeton University this September and will major in Molecular Biology, although she is open to changing her major during her college career. “I am open to change in the future and will explore my options.”

As for her time at GHS, “I rejoice about my life in high school. I encourage my classmates to look forward to the future as well.”

During her speech at graduation, she stressed the need for everyone to fight racism, and mentioned the increase of hate crimes against Asian-Americans. “We are the class that can help end this, and teach racial tolerance.”

While at GHS, Rachel played alto saxophone in the Marching Band and the Concert Band, was a member of the Friends of Rachel, the Interact Club, the Leo Club, the Debate Club, the Ping Pong Club, and the National Honor Society, and served on Student Council and as a class officer.

Third Honors Shannon Johnson

“I feel the sense of family and community at Gloucester High grew even stronger during the pandemic. It was difficult going back and forth between virtual and in-person learning, but we got used to it and were able to overcome it,” said Shannon, whose parents Stephanie and Jimmie Johnson and sister Blythe “are very proud of my academic achievements.”

Shannon will be attending Villanova University this September and will major in Accounting.

“I want to be a forensics account and work for the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) to go after white collar criminals,” she said.

“I congratulate my classmates. They made the best of senior year in an unprecedented time,” Shannon said.

During her time at GHS, Shannon was on the soccer and bowling teams, was a member of the Debate Club, the Friends of Rachel and the National Honor Society, and served on Student Council.

All three of these students have a wonderful and exciting future, as do all the members of the Gloucester City High School Class of 2021.