On Monday, June 22, Eastern Regional High School graduated 443 students from Voorhees, Gibbsboro, and Berlin Borough. As students prepare for whatever the next steps hold, whether it be continuing their education with college or trade school, entering the workforce, or pursuing military service, these students have left their mark on their school.
Eastern’s Choral performing ABBA’s ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ mashed with Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Landslide’ framed the evening’s event as one of nostalgia for what these students are leaving behind and excitement for what is to come.
Principal Steve Lee echoed these sentiments. “Today is a celebration of achievement, of perseverance, and of unity. Today we honor not only the completion of 13 years of education, but the spirit, strength, and character this graduating class has shown throughout their journey.”
These students have faced waves of great successes and deep challenges, but what holds true is the community support they provided each other during their time together. Valedictorian Jonah Kutikov shared, “The world has been changing quickly and our high school experience was very different than those who came before us. We are all scholars, just in different ways than those before us.” The unique experience of growing up surrounded by ever-changing technologies impacted the classroom experiences of this class in ways that others have not previously experienced.
They took the challenge, though, and ran with it. As Salutatorian Ethan Abramovitz noted, “Leadership often occurs when people do not even know that they are leading and could take the forms of teaching, inspiring, and experimenting.” With everything this class has experienced, they have become leaders in their own ways.
“You embraced our message. Make it what you want,” proclaimed Principal Lee. As these students head towards their unique futures, the Viking model will stay close to their hearts as they continue to reflect the best parts of their community.
