High school commencements often drip with clichés about embracing change. But Thursday’s Morristown High School ceremony at Mennen Arena had an edge, and an urgency, amounting to a call to action.
When these 400 students began their high school careers, “We felt at home in this world, comfortable in the way things happened, free to move and express ourselves. But over the past four years, the world has changed around us,” said Valedictorian Tommy Cromie.
Lockdown drills, once an excuse to skip classwork, are deadly serious in the wake of school shootings across the country. Cromie’s classmates have become activists, taking to the streets for the March for Our Lives, the #MeToo movement and Black Lives Matter.
“As the toxic attitudes of the world outside continue to fester, and we take our first steps into the unknown, we must not forget what we created in Morristown. We must be the leaders we have grown into,” said Cromie.
“For us, no challenge is insurmountable,” echoed Erin Fleck, the salutatorian.
“With all of the political and social turmoil that has marked our high school years, it is clear that change is coming. And we, the young adults and future leaders of America, must take on this daunting task,” she said.
Slideshow photos by Alexandra Fisher (MHS ’21):
Fleck thinks her classmates can handle it.
“We have truly transformed into a strong group of dreamers, believers and above all, leaders,” said the track captain, who is bound for Cornell University this fall to pursue engineering.
Principal Mark Manning challenged the new graduates “to work with every fiber of your being toward a new normal,” even though the quest is perilous.
“That is the revolution within, to heed the call to turn a situation on its head, despite the objections and the risks to your personal reputation, your livelihood, and your personal safety,” the principal said.
Manning cited courageous examples in American history, from abolitionists and suffragists to the Hollywood 10, hippies, Civil Rights demonstrators, the National Organization for Women, Greenpeace and the Tea Party.
Giving Up Your Shot, a song in Hamilton, is about not squandering the chance to achieve greatness. Manning urged members of the Class of ’18 not to give up their shot. But choose causes carefully, he advised.
“Be conscious of the dangers of greed, power, hedonism, fame and revenge, which taint the commitment necessary and make the movement a personal endeavor rather than one for common good.
“No great movement was born of a need for individual or materialistic gain,” Manning said.
Observing that segregation is rising in schools nationwide, Superintendent Mackey Pendergrast quoted a report lauding the diverse Morris School District as a “can-do” model for the country.
Student leaders pointed to that diversity as a source of strength and understanding.
“The high school became a microcosm of a better place, a place that has moved forward, even it was just a tiny step,” said Cromie, president of the student government organization.
“We learned that empathy and positivity are engines for change. Each and every person faces situations that make them feel isolated and broken. But during our four years, we found that by supporting each other, we can help put the pieces back together.
“We understand why people give the shirts off their backs to others who need them more. We understand that people just want to know they are safe and secure as they live their lives.
“We exhibited empathy for one another, which engendered a culture of affirmation and compassion,” added Cromie, a varsity swimmer who plans to study political science at Davidson College.
The packed arena in Morris Township also heard from Senior Class President Zach Norton and Vice President Erin Joel. Senior Charlotte MacMurray sang the national anthem, and the senior choir performed the Alma Mater and Hall of Fame, with accompaniment by pianist Andrew Rosenkilde and drummer Joseph Caputo.
Manning concluded his remarks with a tip from the late anthropologist Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
Pendergrast exhorted the youths to continue doing what they are doing.
“Export your success. Export your character. Export this community, both our aspirations and our accomplishments,” the superintendent said.
“The rest of the nation needs a little bit more of Morristown High School.”
Emma Piascik (MHS ’17) just completed her freshman year at Lafayette College. Morristown Green Editor Kevin Coughlin contributed to this report.
