𝙊𝙣 𝙖 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙡𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 2025 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚
On a day so hot the turf sizzled beneath their feet, 𝟒𝟒𝟓 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐬 walked into Tiger Stadium and straight into history.
Linden High School’s 150th Commencement Ceremony began at 8:20 a.m. with the mercury already in the 90s. By the time the names were called and diplomas were placed in hand, the Astroturf temperature had soared past triple digits — but not even that could wilt the pride, purpose, and perseverance of the Class of 2025.
Cadet Capt. Daniel Quiceno, the Regimental Commanding Officer of Linden High School’s world-renowned NJROTC unit, opened the program, ushering in a processional led by Superintendent Dr. Atiya Perkins, district leaders and city officials. Under the blazing sun, the NJROTC color guard posted the colors, and senior Abigail Armstead delivered a moving rendition of the national anthem, setting the tone for a ceremony filled with resilience and reverence.
In the stands, family members fanned themselves, huddled beneath umbrellas, and gulped water as the sun blazed down. Cadets shuttled water bottles to graduates in their black caps and gowns.
The ceremony featured inspiring addresses from five key leaders — 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐭𝐢𝐲𝐚 𝐘. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐬, Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden, Board President Dr. Marlene Berghammer, Board Member Samuel De La Cruz, and Principal Charles Koonce — each delivering stirring messages of resilience, responsibility, and hope. They were joined by a full slate of district dignitaries, including Board Vice President Malaysia Thomas, Board Members Brianna Armstead, Antoinette Pino, Sasquia Carillo, and Maryam Elweshahy, along with Senior Vice Principal and Graduation Coordinator Nicole Campo, Vice Principals Laurence McGhee, Kevin Thurston, Stephanie Orejuela, and Renata Marchesi, as well as district administrators who came out in full support of the Class of 2025.
Student leaders who shaped the class journey also took center stage: Senior Class President Sheyla Caly, Valedictorian Kayla Lewis, and 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐨𝐧 — each delivering powerful reflections on perseverance, purpose, and the promise of what’s next.