SBHS Bids Farewell to the Class of 2013

By Megan Malloy

South Brunswick High School said goodbye to 676 seniors at Tuesday's commencement ceremony at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton.

Class president Stephen Owirodu kicked off the ceremony, praising the class of 2013 for both their tenacity and their sense of community. 

“This class has been blessed by people who find happiness in not only their personal achievements, but in the achievements of others,” said Owirodu.

SBHS Principal Peter Varela echoed the sentiment, noting the class’s dedication not only to their studies, but to the broader South Brunswick community. Varela commended the class’s service in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and their efforts to collect 2,800 pounds of food during the high school’s annual drive. 

“Class of 2013, I could not have asked for a better senior class to begin my tenure as principal,” said Varela. “You will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Student Council President Tessa Trach introduced Superintendent Gary McCartney, who also spoke to the importance of service in living a well-rounded life.

“Helping others is essential to your growth and development,” Dr. McCartney said. “It is impossible to help another without helping yourself.”

Forty-four SBHS graduates were recognized as National Merit Scholars, the highest number in the school’s history. In addition, SBHS was recently named one of the nation’s top public high schools by Newsweek magazine. 

Salutatorian Meghana Bansal and valedictorian Davis Liu also addressed the graduates. Liu recognized how much he and his classmates had learned during their time at SBHS, from avoiding hall monitors to navigating the college admissions process.

“In some ways, we’re about to start from the bottom again,” said Liu, who will be attending Princeton University in the fall. “We will once again return to the status of wide-eyed freshmen…we will be confounded by new problems, lost in new environments, and, most importantly, presented with new opportunities.”

Armed with a SBHS education, Liu expressed confidence in his classmates to meet the challenges that may come their way.

In times of uncertainty, “I suggest you ask your parents,” said Liu. “Or, if that doesn’t work, Google.”