Jackson Liberty H.S. graduates first class
Students who entered school in 2006 complete journey
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer
This year's graduates at Jackson Liberty High School will forever be able to look back and say they were in the class of 2009, the first graduating class at their high school.

"The vision of this board, and of the boards before us, was to build and outfit a high school, and ultimately a district, that embraces the opportunity and technology available to us at this exciting time," Jackson Board of Education President Barbara Fiero said on June 25 during the first graduation ceremony ever held at Jackson Liberty High School. "Our aim was to give our teachers and students the tools and influences that can create better lessons and better learning."

It is the relationship between students and teachers that makes the experience rewarding, she said.

"As you go ahead into the next phase of your lives, just know that we are all here pulling for you," Fiero told the graduates, "taking satisfaction in the roles we have played to help you along, but also knowing that you are the creators of your own destines."

Jackson Liberty opened in September 2006 with freshman and sophomore classes in the building. The 2009 graduates are the students who entered the building three years ago.

Students at Jackson Liberty High School had big smiles on their faces on the evening of June 25 when they concluded their high school careers. At top, Sara DeMuth shakes hands with administrators after receiving her diploma. Above, Anthony DiMartino gets a hug from a fellow graduate.

Salutatorian Jacqueline Cherko, who will be attending Rutgers University, said June 25 marked the first day of the rest of the students' lives. Her grade point average was 4.7917 on a four-point scale.

"Never again will Jackson Liberty have the opportunity to present the 360 graduating seniors that collectively form the firstever graduating class," said Cherko. "As salutatorian of the class of 2009, I personally welcome family members and friends, as well as siblings who have been dragged against their will."

Cherko discussed the students' transition from Jackson Memorial High School to Jackson Liberty, touching on the difficulty, resentment and anger some students felt. She also recalled the assistance provided by administrators and guidance counselors to help students adapt to a new building.

Jackson Deputy Superintendent of Schools Lu Anne Meinders presents her son Christopher with his Jackson Liberty High School diploma during graduation ceremonies.

She said it would be impossible for any of the students to leave without addressing the amount of hard work the teachers have put in, especially as they dealt with teenagers who faced a host of adolescent issues.

"Every story has an ending, but in life, every end is just a beginning," Cherko said. "Sometimes it is our responsibility in life to build doors when opportunity doesn't come knocking."

Valedictorian Monica Pirigyi, who will attend the University of Delaware, said graduation marked the end of life as students knew it at Jackson Liberty. Her grade point average was 4.8958 on a four-point scale.

"We were the first to enter in September 2006 and now we are the first to exit," said Pirigyi. "We all know that the point of going to high school is to learn, but the truth is that we learn so much more than we expect."

She said the most important things the students learned were not from books, but from the heart — things like pep talks from a coach, and tears people cry after a tough breakup or an argument, and the laughs that are shared by friends.

Pirigyi said she learned a lot from her Advanced Placement chemistry class in which students had to redo their work many times, and in particular she learned that if you do not succeed, you should brush yourself off and try again.

She said greatness is not measured in the number of one's successes, but in the amount of work and dedication that is put forward. She said she learned from the girls lacrosse team and will never forget that.

Jackson Liberty Principal Maureen Butler recalled world events of 18 years ago, but told the students that their parents would remember their children's birth as the most important event of the year.

"As your parents sit here this evening, the smiles on their faces come from years of dreams that have come true," she said. "How proud they are of you."

On Sept. 6, 2006, another first occurred in the students' lives when they entered Jackson Liberty High School.

Butler said the teachers and administrators looked at the new students and saw the next few years unfold. They watched as the students established the first clubs and activities, the first varsity sports teams, won the school's first championship, received the first varsity jackets, performed the first plays and dramas, and recorded other achievements.

June 25 marked the first graduation, she said.

"Three short years ago we were 'Jackson who?' and now we are Jackson Liberty, known to other schools as fierce competitors, academically, athletically and socially, but most of all we are known to other schools as the school that always shows sportsmanship, respect and pride," said the principal. "You have grown from cubs to Lions."

She said the students are individuals who are capable of plowing out their own paths and succeeding. She said their parents knew that when they held their children in their arms 18 years ago, and she said the Jackson Liberty administration knew it three years ago when the school opened.

"Congratulations to our first graduating class, the class of 2009," Butler said.

With the awarding of diplomas by Superintendent of Schools Thomas Gialanella, Deputy Superintendent Lu Anne Meinders, Assistant Superintendent Stephen Genco and members of the Board of Education, the first graduating class at Jackson Liberty High School turned their tassels and marched into the future.