Glen Rock High School Graduation 2024: See Student Photos

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Glen Rock High School’s 66th Annual Commencement was held Thursday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. on the GRMS/HS Football Field.

The Glen Rock High School Band and Orchestra played “Pomp and Circumstance” as graduates proceeded onto the field. Senior Class Vice President Benjamin Lappan welcomed attendees and led the flag salute. The class was then welcomed by senior class president and salutatorian Virginia Liang, and addressed by Principal Michele Giurlando.

Giurlando said, "Remember that sometimes the days can be long, but the years are always short.”

“No matter how busy you are, no matter how hectic life becomes, take the time to find joy in each day,” she said. “Listen to your favorite song, laugh with a friend, watch the sunrise or the sunset with someone you love. Soak in those individual moments that are so simple but that are infused with pure happiness."

Liang and valedictorian Daniel Erani gave inspirational speeches.

Liang said, “Moving forward, my advice to you is to take positive risks, and be unafraid of rejection. Ask and be told no, rather than not try at all. Don’t be afraid of how other people perceive you and surround yourself with people who make you feel confident. Finally, seize every opportunity; if one door doesn’t open, another one will.”

To practice what she was preaching, Liang rapped the remainder of her graduation speech, to a captivated crowd.

In Erani’s valedictorian speech, he said, “Look around you and see all of your friends and peers wearing caps and gowns. Look out into the stands and find your family. Plant your feet on the ground and feel where you are. Enjoy the feeling of being here, at your graduation, honoring your accomplishments. As we make this transition from teenagers to adults and embark on our new life journey, let’s all stop running from our lives because all we have is the present moment.”

Susan Wechtler, English teacher and faculty graduation speaker, touched on how life might be long, but to not spend too much time looking for “the next, and the next, and the next big moment.”

“Let yourself be open to awe right now–the bolt of lightning, the rainbow, the double rainbow, the perfect melody,” she said. “Let yourself gasp, smile, cry. Life is long, but it’s so much sweeter if you sip it in instead of gulp it down.”

Dr. Damali Robinson, Glen Rock Board of Education president, presented the Citizenship Awards to two seniors, Virginia Liang and Peter Renga.

Dr. Brett Charleston, superintendent of schools, addressed the graduates and their families and friends.

Photos above were taken by Kacper Majewski '27.