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North Ward Center Deputy Executive Director Michele Adubato told the graduating class at Barringer High School in Newark on Friday that the community was proud of them for making it through high school.
“You don’t know me, but I’m proud of you,” said Adubato, the commencement speaker. “You need to know, people who don’t know you are proud of you. More than 30 percent of the students who began this journey with you did not make it. You have the right to be proud of yourself.”
Adubato, who earned two master’s degrees, encouraged the graduates to continue their academic journey.
“Now you need to take the next step you need to continue on whatever it may be, do not stop believing in a dream,” said Adubato, who was the vice principal at New Jersey Regional Day School in Newark before leaving to join the North Ward Center.
Adubato also praised Barringer Principal Dr. Jose Aviles, who became principal two years ago, for turning the school around.
“It is not by coincidence that there happens to be more male graduates in the last two years at Barringer High School than females,” Adubato said. “He is a role model. He has been your role model and Newark is sadly lacking role models.”
Aviles said Adubato was selected as the commencement speaker by the student council.
“They were so impressed by her at a leadership meeting at the North Ward Center they asked her to speak at graduation,” Aviles said.
The graduates were also addressed by Salutatorian April Malcom and Valedictorian Yevette West and Class President Cristian Negron.
After graduation, students attended “Project Graduation” at the Funplex in Mt. Laurel for an all-night celebration. They returned the next morning.
“It was designed to keep students from partying after graduation and possibly placed in a bad situation,” Aviles said. “We were the only school in Newark to do it”
