Roosevelt Public School graduates 12 in 71st class
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer

JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Roosevelt Public School sixth graders prepare to receive their diplomas during the 71st annual commencement exercises in the town's amphitheater on June 14.

ROOSEVELT - They will leap from the pond into the ocean.

Twelve sixth-graders graduated from Roosevelt Public School (RPS) during the 71st annual commencement exercises June 14 in the amphitheater.Many of the graduates from the school, with a student population under 100, will attend seventh grade at Melvin H. Kreps Middle School in EastWindsor, which has a student body of over 1,000.

Empathizing with the great transformation that the students from the small borough with only one school will undertake next year, Principal Shari Payson, Board of Education President Jaymie Kosa, sixth-grade teacher Scot Gershman and various other community members spoke during the ceremony, offering a plethora of advice.

Gershman said, "I hope you all learned a lot, not just from your fellow graduates, but from the teachers and administrators at RPS as well."

He encouraged students not to get pressured into being something that they're not.

Kosa said, "What the caterpillar calls the end, the master calls a butterfly. Enjoy flying."

She told students to know and trust their strengths. She also told a story with a moral relating that the most precious gifts are located in the last place people will look - deep within their own souls.

Various community members helped recognize the gifts each student has with awards for their talents.

Mayor Beth Battel presented Sage Duchai with theMayor's LeadershipAward for knowing the values of setting goals and working hard to achieve them.

Resident and Environmental Commission member David Schwendeman presented Annika Aakhus and Lucas Carnevale with Environmental Commission Awards for their endangered-species projects.

Resident Alan Mallach presented Tara Carnevale with the Fund for Roosevelt Environmental Issues Award for recognizing, respecting and living in harmony with nature.

Rochelle Shipman presented Luke Dermody with the Roosevelt Post Office Roosevelt Project Award for a project he completed on the post office.

Graduate Jessie Hickey received the Roosevelt PTA Community Service Award for showing caring and compassion and for working toward the betterment of the world.

Victoria Pizzarelli received the Roosevelt Arts Project (RAP) award for her artistic endeavors. RAP President David Herrstrom wrote in the dedication that he looks forward seeing Victoria's work in a RAP event one day.

The Orlick family presented Luke Vuolle with the Outstanding Musician Award for his love of music and ability to explain music to others.

The Hickey family presented the Outstanding Artist Award in remembrance of Jim Carnevale to Leslie Alvarado for her prolific art projects and willingness to help others with artistic endeavors.

Former resident Arnie Bard presented the Nathan Bard Social Studies Award to David Merkin for his understanding of the Revolutionary War and the Constitution. Bard also presented Cameron Grayson with the Graham Nisnevitz Mathematics Award for her excellence in math and presented Caitlin Powers with the Oscar Nisnevitz Citizenship Award for being a great role model.

Annika said her years at RPS were fantastic and changed her life in many ways.

"I learned so much at RPS both academically and inmy experiences," she said. "I learned a great deal of responsibility. Taking care of a first-grader is challenging and is hard work."

Leslie said she is proud of making it through RPS to graduation.

"When I first came to RPS, I was really shy," she said. "The friends I made here helped me not to be shy in front of teachers and the other kids in Roosevelt."

Lucas Carnevale said the friends he made at RPS aren't like other kids.

"The friends I made here are lifelong friends," he said. "They taught me that it's OKto accept each other and to be different."

His sister, Tara, said she's sure her brother is happy about going to Kreps next year.

"Happy to get away fromme because we were together before we were even born," she said.

She also reflected on some fun times she had at RPS, including the trips to Dorney Park and the Lenape Village.

Luke Dermody said he's excited about graduating from RPS, but noted how different a school with over 1,000 kids will be from RPS, "a place where everyone knows everyone."

Sage said the friends she made at RPS gave important insights into her life. She also said Gershman taught her that not all people have the same talents, but when put together they can accomplish great things.

Cameron thought about how much her classmates changed over the years. She said some of them used to crawl under the teacher's desk and cry when they got upset in first grade. She said they all learned to comfort each other at RPS.

Jessie said, "I hope someday I'll look back and say those closest friendships were those that I made at RPS."

David, who only spent one year at RPS, said he didn't think he would fit in at first, but quickly made friends who encouraged him to be himself. He said his new friends also taught him a lesson about grades.

"They taught me that grades matter to get good money and a job like a lawyer," he said. Victoria said her friendships at RPS made her more aware and appreciative of the little things like getting a text message "good morning" from her best friend. She said she once looked up to her fifth-grade buddy Devon Kostar and hopes that she inspired her first-grade buddy to be a role model, too.

Caitlin thanked her friends for sticking by her side, her teachers for helping her acquire knowledge, and her parents for helping her with her schoolwork.

Luke Vuolle talked about learning the importance of honesty at RPS. He said being honest helped him keep others from getting in trouble when someone left a surprise in the teachers' lounge.

Payson said, "I'm so proud of everyone" before announcing, "By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you the 71st graduating class of Roosevelt Public School."