๐๐ฃ ๐ ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ก๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐ฃ๐ ๐จ๐ช๐ข๐ข๐๐ง ๐ข๐ค๐ง๐ฃ๐๐ฃ๐, ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐พ๐ก๐๐จ๐จ ๐ค๐ 2025 ๐๐๐๐๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ฉ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฃ๐๐จ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ช๐ฉ๐ช๐ง๐
On a day so hot the turf sizzled beneath their feet, ๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ walked into Tiger Stadium and straight into history.
Linden High Schoolโs 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 โ 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 Schoolโs 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 โ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ซ. ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฒ๐ ๐. ๐๐๐ซ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ฌ, Derek Armstead Mayor of Linden, Board President Dr. Marlene Berghammer, Board Member Samuel De La Cruz, and Principal Charles Koonce โ 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 ๐๐๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐จ๐ง โ each delivering powerful reflections on perseverance, purpose, and the promise of whatโs next.