Triton Salutatorian Boldly Backs Her Words, Cuts Hair Off on Stage

RUNNEMEDE—If there was such a thing as a perfect moment in the life of a Triton Regional High School student, Thursday’s graduation ceremony at John Oakes Stadium would perhaps embody that ideal.

From the well-rehearsed and inspiring words to the tidy caps and gowns to the exacting synchronicity of the students’ movements to “Pomp and Circumstance,” much like the institution of high school itself, the 53rd annual commencement here had the feel of a well-oiled machine. 

Yet a select few who had the opportunity to speak on the graduates’ behalf proved that, as a whole, Triton's Class of 2011 has been anything but run-of-the-mill. 

It is one small reason why the class—363 Mustangs strong—garnered $6,386,434 in monetary awards for their achievements over the past four years, according to principal Catherine DePaul.

And those top students who bravely took to the microphone challenged their classmates to continue to break free of the people they thought themselves to be and begin the metamorphosis into the people they have the potential to become.

“We are amorphous creatures,” said salutatorian Melissa Bucher. “We must change our image. Adventure awaits us in the face of this change.”

Bucher went on to shock the crowd by cutting off the ponytail of her trademark flaxen mane at the climax of her speech to a raucous applause, symbolizing the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.

“In spite of my change I will always be Melissa Bucher,” she said between sobs. “The girl who had really long, blond hair.”

Of all the heroes and sages whose actions could be emulated, class co-valedictorian Robert O’Donnell said he chose Winnie the Pooh as the best representative of how to meet your destiny head on in this life, by knowing what you want and going for it.

“We should all admire his persistence in chasing after what we wants,” a charismatic O’Donnell remarked. “Find the honey in your life  ...(and) be persistent in chasing after it.”

Harkening back to another children’s classic, co-valedictorian Nicole Schiavone, who was the first to speak, paralleled their futures to the adventures of 4-year-old Harold in Harold and the Purple Crayon.

With a stroke of his magic crayon, Harold could create a world that was both frightening and peaceful, though at all times full of wonder. Like Harold, each graduate is now holding his or her future tightly in hand. 

“Triton has given each of you a purple crayon,” Schiavone said. “Sometimes we will draw our own dragons. But we can also draw a lifeboat.”

Purple had been a theme of the class throughout the year, coloring the mood of their Spirit Week and other morale-boosting events. It took on a solemn hue Thursday as several students were adorned with purple ribbons in honor of a classmate who died in middle school.

Mostly it was a day for tears of joy.

Peter Lutz Sr. looked on as his twin sons, Jason and Pete, took their seats near the head of the class, both graduating with honors.

“They have always made me proud,” Lutz said. “All I can say to them is keep up the good work, boys.”

Added Nancy Lind, who will be retiring after 50 years behind the wheel of a school bus this year, “Be yourselves, study hard and make something of yourselves. Nobody’s going to do it for you.”

Chelsea Bader let out a scream as she saw her younger brother make his entrance under the arch of multi-colored balloons. As she stifled her tears, she called him her best friend growing up, a feat for any siblings.

“My advice is do your best in all that you do,” she said.

Indeed if success were a staircase, the graduating Mustangs certainly found a comfortable platform Thursday to rest upon for a while before continuing their ascent.

As for their time together as a student body, the only thing left now will be to choose what memories to clutch onto and which can be taken by the wind into the recesses of memory.

Editor's note: Check back with GT Patch Sunday morning for a full photo gallery of Thursday's graduation ceremony.