430 Mustangs graduate from Brick Memorial

BY COLLEEN LUTOLF
Staff Writer

MIGUEL JUAREZ staff Brick Memorial High School National Honor Society members Rob SantaMaria (l), Melissa DeDomonicvis, Sarah Conwey, Dan LaBrutto and Meaghan Krotulis toss their mortarboards in celebration of the end of their high school years at the school's 25th commencement ceremony June 16. June 16 was a big day, said Spring Lake resident Cecelia Bugano, as she stood along the chain-link fence that surrounds Brick Memorial High School's football field.

The Polish immigrant was about to watch her eldest granddaughter, Sarah Grabovsky, 18, graduate from high school.

"You know how I feel," she said. "My eyes tell you. Just look into my eyes."

Two of Bugano's grandchildren still reside in Poland as does most of her clan, Bugano said, making her presence at the high school ceremony that much more important.

"We're all the family that she's got," Bugano said. "This is my first time at a big ceremony, so my heart is jumping."

Bugano was likely not alone.

Along with her granddaughter, Brick Memorial High School graduated 430 students last Friday under sunny skies.

"She's just made her whole family proud," said Donna Brown, wiping tears from her eyes as she spoke.

Brown's daughter, Katie, 18, also graduated that day.

"It's a day I've been looking forward to since the day she was born," Brown said. "I always wondered what it'd be like, and here I am, 18 years later."

That day was realized for the hundreds of parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends, who packed the bleachers and surrounded the field as Brick Memorial celebrated its 25th commencement.

The ceremony marked principal Robert A. Anderson's first complete school year as the school's top administrator, he said.

BMHS seniors received a total of $750,000 in scholarships, Anderson said.

"They're great," he said as he made his way off the field. "An energetic, personable, athletic group of kids."

Top, Brick Memorial High School graduate Rebecca Turner gets a congratulatory smooch from her high school sweetheart Jeff Moser. Nashwa Emara rises to accept her high school diploma June 16. Above, Nicole Teresa Burke during a moment of reflection during Brick Memorial High School's graduation ceremony at the school. In his 20 years as an administrator, Anderson said Brick Memorial High School's Class of 2006 is the most personable group he's ever encountered.

Brick Memorial's most recent graduating class is also unique in that the coveted (by some) valedictorian spot was shared this year - by twins.

"We were doing the averages and ... we have a dead tie," Anderson said.

Jillian Nicole Warzynski and Kimberly Ann Warzynski shared the valedictorian spot this year.

"Each and every one of you have memories that will last for years that you will take with you wherever you go," Jillian Warzynski said. "We will always have memories of Brick Memorial and how it shaped who we are."

Board of Education President Sharon Kight and Township Council President Anthony Matthews also addressed Brick Memorial's graduating class.

"Whether you settle in some far away town or you settle in Brick, you will always carry with you the admiration and support of this community," Kight said.

Matthews asked the parting seniors to make him a promise that they would commit to making at least one positive difference in the world.

"Whether you're 3,000, 300 or three miles away, you will always remain a Mustang in your heart and remember with pride your time here at Brick Memorial," said co-valedictorian Kimberly Ann Warzynski.

Asked to define BMHS Class of 2006, Nikki Grizzle, 17, called her class a "good group of kids."

"We're all very unique," Grizzle said. "We're all individuals."