Plainfield Public Schools Hold First Joint High School Graduation Ceremony

PLAINFIELD, NJ — On Wednesday, the Plainfield Public Schools held their first joint high school graduation ceremony, recognizing students from Plainfield High School, Plainfield Academy for the Arts & Advanced Studies (PAAAS), and Pinnacle Academy. Due to the construction at the Hub Stine Sports Complex, it was held at Kean University in Union.

PAAAS valedictorian Jose L. Ramos Montanez addressed the uniquely difficult start of high school for the class of 2024.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE FREE TAPINTO.NET NEWSLETTER

"We've managed to overcome any obstacle which stood in our path, one of them being the pandemic, which forced us to spend our entire freshman year virtually away from each other," said Ramos Montanez. "If we managed to achieve that, then I have no doubt that each and every single one of you will do great things and have outlasting impacts in your future."

Ramos Montanez spoke of his personal hardship as well, including immigrating to the United States.

"I faced struggle and adversity back when I had to move from my home country, Peru, and had to spend some time away from my family, including my mom," said Ramos Montanez, who thanked his fellow students, his teachers, the student council, the class president, and his family. "I used to cry and wonder what my purpose was here. But thanks to my family and God, I was able to achieve all of this success."

Plainfield Superintendent of Schools Rashon Hasan has recently expressed pride in the fact that all Plainfield seniors would graduate in one ceremony, but on Wednesday his message was directly to those graduating students. He first offered them employment should they decide to return to the district and help another generation of young people.

DOWNLOAD THE FREE TAPINTO APP FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS. AVAILABLE IN THE APPLE STORE AND THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE .

"I hereby present to you all conditional offers of employment to return to Plainfield Public Schools to serve as future teachers in our school district," said Mr Hasan. "So for all of our parents, moms, dad, mothers, padres, our grandmas, or abuelas who've helped these students get to the next level. In the next five years, the minimum starting salary for a teacher and Plainfield Public Schools will be $85,000. So if you are standing on business, and you want to get to that bag, come back home."

The graduation, Plainfield's 154th such ceremony, was attended by several Plainfield Board of Education Commissioners, members of the Plainfield City Council, Mayor Adrian Mapp, and host of faculty, staff, and parents. Nearly 600 students graduated.

The ceremony featured speeches by Plainfield High School Valedictorian Brandon Perez Lopez, PHS Salutatorian Jocelyn Calderon Callejas, PAAAS Valedictorian Jose L. Ramos Montanez, PAAAS Salutatorian Joshua Woolard, students Keith Jennings and Sofia Douglas Sandres, Superindentent Rashon Hasan, PHS Principal Shadin Bilal, PAAAS Principal Greg Snead, Deputy Superintendent Mark Williams, Councilman Steve Hockaday, and Plainfield BOE President Hanae Wyatt. You can watch the entire graduation here .

"As you embark on this journey," said Superintendent Hasan, "let the knowledge you've gained here be your compass, guiding you through challenges and towards your future opportunities. Let your dreams be your wings, helping you soar into greatness like falcons roaming in the big blue skies or like those cardinals that we see soaring in our sight, just to let us know that they're there to protect us."

"Embrace creativity as your ally and adversity as your teacher," continued the superintendent. "The road ahead will not always be smooth, but it is in the face of adversity that your true character will shine through. Remember, failure is not the opposite of success. It's simply part of your journey. Each setback is just a setup for a comeback. Embrace your failures as stepping stones to build your journey to success. Class of 2024, you are the authors of the next great story."

"Today is not just about looking back, it is also about looking forward," said Plainfield High School Valedictorian Brandon Perez Lopez. "We have the power to reinvent ourselves, explore new passions, and create a future that is not only successful but also fulfilling. As we step into the real world, every one of us will face unique circumstances, yet we're all capable of forging our own path. Each one of us will go through a different journey and thrive on our individuality."

"Regardless of our class ranks, our values created from who we are will guide us to success in our future," remarked Perez Lopez. "As we step onto the next chapter of our lives, we must carry on our lessons learned and values gained. The future is uncertain, yet it is filled with endless possibilities that we can take advantage of."

For more local news, visit TAPinto.net