Schools

'Ignite Your Spark,' CHS Principal Tells Class of 2013

Perseverance was the message for the class that overcame challenges over the past four years.

“The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire,” Cranford High School Principal Rui Dionisio told the Class of 2013 on Tuesday evening. “Go out and ignite your spark.”

A class branded with the “unlucky” number 13 and a slew of unfortunate events over their time at Cranford High School, such as a Halloween snowstorm, Hurricane Irene, Sandy, this year's winter storm, Cicadas and the end of the world, the Class of 2013 is used to challenges.

“There have been many opportunities for us to the rise to the occasion,” Valedictorian Kaitlin McGovern told her fellow classmates. She said that the class’ ability to persevere, meet challenges head on and still come out on top means the world is in good hands.

“Our will to fight back and ultimately succeed, shows we are destined for great thing,” she expressed.

Perseverance was a common sentiment with the Class of 2013.

Dionisio recalled upon the many times the seniors were helping classmates and neighbors following both Sandy and Irene. No deed was too small, he stated. He also called upon the students most recent feat of breaking the Guinness World Record of a 25,500 can pyramid measuring nearly 15 feet tall.

“Push through the challenges and obstacles as they are there for a reason and make you stronger when you persevere,” he told the class. “Embrace the messy process of life. Try to figure out what the lesson is so you learn from each and every experience.”

Dionisio explained to the class that the world needs them. As the next generation he encouraged them to lift themselves up, as well as those around them.

To the Class of 2013, he said, “Believe in yourself.”


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