The Middlesex County Vocational and Technical Schools awarded diplomas to 447 graduates on June 25 in simultaneous ceremonies on all five campuses.
Steven Marcucci of Woodbridge was the valedictorian and Brooke Russell of Colonia was the salutatorian as the East Brunswick Campus awarded 169 diplomas.
The Perth Amboy Campus had 55 graduates, including valedictorian Sophia Reyes of Perth Amboy.
There were 121 graduates from the Piscataway Amboy Campus, including valedictorian Karla Coste of Carteret and salutatorian Yesenia Padron of Edison.
At the Middlesex County Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences in Woodbridge, Anisha Patel of Piscataway was valedictorian as 66 students graduated.
At the graduation for the Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics and Engineering Technologies in Edison, held in the Middlesex County College Performing Arts Center, valedictorian Spencer Ng of North Brunswick turned the podium toward his fellow graduates before calling the class a “dysfunctional family” as freshmen.
“I’d say we’ve definitely gotten closer together in one way or another,” he said in a statement prepared by the school district. “We’ve accomplished things that really make an impact on the community.”
After a list of awards and scholarships was read, salutatorian Kevin Tang of Perth Amboy announced his list of “other academy awards,” including “most dependable car” and “most meticulous note taker,” as his classmates laughed.
Middlesex County Deputy Freeholder Director Charles Tomaro spoke of Thomas Edison and his achievements in nearby Menlo Park. He noted that Edison obtained more than 400 patents over just six years there.
“Edison Township has a long tradition of innovation, and this academy is part of that tradition,” he said in the statement.
Kyle Anderson, Middlesex County interim executive superintendent of schools, quoted Rihanna.
“Live your life and keep on climbing,” he told the 36 graduates.
Principal John Jeffries said the class is on “a journey that has taken you to remarkable heights.”
“Never stop learning,” he said. “Your days of learning are really just beginning.
“Enjoy the ride,” he added. “If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right.”
2018 graduate Rohan Mehra of Edison, now a student at Rutgers University, urged the graduates to engage with as many of their college classmates as they can.
“I challenge you all to speak to as many people as possible,” he said in the statement. “We are all lifelong teachers and lifelong students.”
In the fall, Edison Academy graduates will be attending Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Cornell, Middlesex County College, NJIT, Penn State, Princeton, RPI, Rutgers, UCLA, Cal-Berkeley, Illinois, the University of Chicago, Maryland, Pittsburgh and Vanderbilt.
For more information on the school district, visit www.mcvts.net.
