𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐞: 𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥'𝐬 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞
𝙋𝙖𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙜𝙮𝙢𝙣𝙖𝙨𝙞𝙪𝙢, 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙡𝙤𝙬 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙡𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚, 𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙥𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙇𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡'𝙨 116𝙩𝙝 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮
LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ -- Four years ago, the members of Linden High School's Class of 2026 arrived on campus as freshmen, uncertain of where their high school journey would lead. Standing alongside them was someone else beginning a new chapter — Principal Charles Koonce.
On Tuesday morning (June 23), that shared journey came full circle.
As 503 graduates crossed the stage during Linden High School's 116th Commencement Ceremony, Koonce reflected on a bond forged through four years of growth, challenges, accomplishments and change.
"The Class of 2026 will always have a very special place in my heart, and that's because we arrived here together back in 2022," Koonce told graduates. "I was a freshman just like all of you."
Originally scheduled for Tiger Stadium, the ceremony was moved indoors because of inclement weather, but the weather did little to dampen the celebration. The ceremony began shortly after 9:30 a.m. inside a packed Linden High School gymnasium while an overflow audience filled the school auditorium to watch a livestream on a large screen.
Joining graduates and their families were Mayor Derek Armstead, the Linden Board of Education led by President Malaysia Thomas and Vice President Dr. Marlene Berghammer, board members Brianna Armstead, Rempee Kalia, Antoinette Pino, Kimberly Ullisse, Phillip Campo and Lymari Cintron, Superintendent Dr. Atiya Y. Perkins, Assistant Superintendent Annabell Louis, Business Administrator/Board Secretary John Serapiglia, Assistant Business Administrator Pamela Caporale, Human Resources Manager Dr. Kayla Lott, district administrators, faculty, staff and community members.
The Class of 2026 leaves behind a legacy as diverse as Linden itself. Among the graduates are future engineers, educators, healthcare professionals, entrepreneurs, artists, skilled tradespeople, service members and community leaders. They represent Linden High School's 25th graduating class of International Baccalaureate Diploma candidates and have earned acceptance to more than 76 colleges, universities, technical schools, apprenticeship programs and branches of military service while securing more than $15 million in scholarships. More than 70 percent of graduates are continuing into higher education, career pathways, military service or civil service opportunities.
Yet throughout the morning, speakers returned to a common theme: no one reaches graduation alone. Whether reflecting on family support, friendships, teachers, mentors, faith or community, each speaker emphasized the relationships that helped shape the students seated before them.
More Than Perfect
Salutatorian Savonne Johnson delivered one of the ceremony's most heartfelt and relatable messages.
Known throughout the school community as the "Voice of Linden" for her years delivering daily morning announcements, Johnson admitted that the final stretch of senior year brought pressure, uncertainty and moments of burnout.
"I'll be honest with you all," she said. "As we prepare to graduate, I had no idea what to say."
Like many seniors preparing to step into an uncertain future, Johnson acknowledged the pressure to have all the answers. But graduation, she realized, was never about perfection. "It's about being genuine."
Johnson credited her faith, family, friends, teachers, mentors and the Linden Public Schools community for helping her reach the milestone. She reflected on experiences that shaped her high school journey, including educational opportunities that took her to China, Barbados and Disney World, as well as her role as founder and president of the Black American Culture Club.
Most importantly, she reminded graduates that resilience carried them to this moment.
"We've all faced challenges. We've all had days where we felt tired, and we've all had moments where we just wanted to give up," Johnson said. "But we didn't."
Encouraging her classmates to give themselves grace as they move into adulthood, Johnson reminded them that growth is ongoing. "It's okay to not have everything figured out right now because we are always becoming."
Then, in a farewell that drew smiles throughout the gymnasium, she signed off one final time.
"Have a great day, Linden High School. This is Savonne Johnson signing off for now."
The Power of Human Connection
Valedictorian Anthony Palmucci built his remarks around a simple but powerful idea: empathy.
After thanking the teachers, administrators, friends and family members who supported him throughout his journey, Palmucci reflected on a story his grandmother often shared about befriending a woman battling cancer who had been isolated and judged by others because of her appearance.
The lesson stayed with him. "As humans, we too often underutilize our empathy," he said.
Palmucci challenged his classmates to look beyond differences and recognize the value and potential in every person they encounter. "We all have so many individual strengths that could be recognized if we chose to see people beyond their differences," he said.
His message echoed one of the ceremony's recurring themes: every person has value, every story matters and communities grow stronger when people choose understanding over judgment. As he closed, Palmucci left graduates with a challenge that resonated throughout the gymnasium. "Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody."
'We Are Bonded for Life'
For Principal Koonce, the ceremony represented more than a graduation. It marked the culmination of a journey he shared with the Class of 2026.
Arriving at Linden High School from another district in 2022, Koonce said he relied on students just as they relied on one another while navigating the challenges of high school. Together, they learned to navigate high school life — balancing academics, activities, friendships, setbacks and milestones while preparing for what came next.
In a speech that mixed humor with fond reflection, Koonce joked that graduates would no longer hear familiar reminders such as "No cell phones," "Why aren't you in uniform?" and "Clear my hallways."
Yet behind those words, he said, was a larger purpose. The lessons students learned at Linden High School extended beyond academics. They were lessons in discipline, accountability, emotional intelligence and self-respect.
"In life, we face many challenges, but we are not defined by adversity, but by the fortitude we apply to overcome all obstacles," Koonce said.
For Koonce, those shared experiences created a connection that extended beyond the classroom.
"As you look at that diploma and you see our names on that diploma, know that we are bonded for life."
Looking Ahead
Mayor Derek Armstead, who told graduates he sat in the same seat 47 years ago, encouraged students to thank the parents, guardians, teachers and mentors who helped them reach graduation day. "Behind every successful student is a hardworking, loving and supporting family who believes in you," Armstead said.
Armstead also challenged graduates to approach others with compassion and understanding.
"Remember, every face is a different story," he said. "Until you know that story, be there to help support and not criticize."
Reflecting on his own journey and his family's century-long history in Linden, the mayor encouraged graduates to pursue their dreams while remaining humble, kind and committed to helping others.
Superintendent Dr. Atiya Perkins echoed those sentiments, encouraging graduates to embrace opportunities with courage and confidence. "Failure was never an option, and you proved that today," Perkins said.
Describing resilience as a superpower, Perkins challenged students to move boldly into the future. "You are not just graduating today," she said. "You are launching, leading and leaving a legacy."
Speaking on behalf of the Linden Board of Education, Board member Lymari Cintron reminded graduates that setbacks are not the end of their stories and encouraged them to use their talents to make a difference in the lives of others.
"The world does not need another copy of someone else," she said. "It needs your courage, your kindness, your ideas, your light."
Board President Malaysia Thomas reinforced the ceremony's message of faith and hope with a simple reminder: "I trust the next chapter because I know the author."