Star Spangled Invocation
Dr. Geissinger, Dr. Knueppel, Mrs. Berenson, Members of the Board of Education, teachers, parents and friends, good evening
and welcome to the Class of 1976 Graduation Ceremony.
In addition to being good looking, intelligent, spirited, witty and, of course, modest, our CLASS is unique in a number
of ways. FIRST, and most obviously, we are graduating on our country's Bicentennial Year. SECONDLY, we are the
first class to complete all four years, Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, in the new high school. THIRD, This is
the first time the students that have gone through public school have ever graduated. And finally, a subject which will
be elaborated upon further, later on in the program, we are honored to have our entrance to the world all the way through
to our graduation from high school coincide with the career of our retiring Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John B. Geissinger.
These special characteristics of our Class, coupled with the unifying forces of our numerous senior activities, make this
graduation an especially memorable occasion.
I'd like to mention and ask you to remember, for a moment, if you can, two of our classmates who are not able to graduate
with us this evening. Karen Cimaluca who died in our Freshman year and Eric Rieser who died just last Spring.
Remember them not that you will be futilely saddened but rather that you will gain a greater appreciation of your
own life on earth.
When we entered the high school, we had a reputation of being the rowdiest bunch of juvenile delinquents ever to occupy
a Tenafly classroom. A description of our evil tendencies was even published in a local newspaper. School spirit
and Class unity were not yet incorporated into our vocabulary at that time and our goal in school was to see how much time
we could waste during fire drills. Well, that was four years ago, and although we still waste time during fire drills,
through the years and especially our Senior Year, we've worked together, had a lot of fun, made some good friends, and have
become much closer as a class.
Some of the activities that helped us to become more unified were the very successful magazine sale, Magazine Assembly
with the very lovely Ms. Magazine, the kick-off dance in September, Valentines dance in February, other dances and especially
the Halloween Dance on October 32nd.
Painting our T-76 on the Field House roof, Senior Gyp Day, the Prom, the Lack of Talent Show, and so many other events
that brought us together to plan and to participate in during the year. It is often said that it is not who is best,
but rather who has improved the most. There may have been a more unified or spirited class some time in past history,
but few have started out so low and ended up so high in the areas of Class Unity and Spirit as the Tenafly High School Senior
Class of 1976.
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Speaker
Our guest speaker this evening is well known in Tenafly, as well as in the State of New Jersey and has lectured during
a Tenafly Teachers Professional work session and for Tenafly's Bicentennial Fair. A noted author, historian, and head
of the New Jersey Historical Commission, Dr. John Cunningham.
AWARDS
Each year various school and community organizations present certain graduating Seniors with awards and scholarships.
Presenting the Awards for 1976, or Superintendent of Schools, Dr. John B. Geissinger.
RING
Would the three Senior Class representatives please approach the Dias.
In recognition of Dr. Geissinger's many years of service, Senior Class Representatives Nora Fisher, Patty Teagno and
Renee Morana would like to present him with a token of our appreciation and admiration.
MARDER
We have three student speakers this evening, and though their speeches are rather brief, what they have to say is meaningful
and well worth our attention.
Speaking on the Freedom of Choice, Nancy Marder.
GIFT
We have attempted to leave with the High School something that is useful, as well as to spark memories of our Class.
Presenting the Gift of the Class of 1976, an extremely hard working and dependable graduation Chairperson, Kathy Trainor.
MOLNAR
Our next speaker is a veteran of Echo, the school newspaper, and she has helped us out a good deal this year. She
has also been an accompanist for the Solitan Social Club Ballet. Speaking about "A Place in the World", Laura Molnar.
BREE
Our next speaker is a real spirited, enthusiastic Tenafly Type Tiger, an ardent supporter of Tenafly High School sports
and longtime member of the Cheerleading Squad, speaking tonight on the Citizens of Democracy, Nancy Bree.
PEGGY
We have had a very successful Senior Year in many ways due largely to the guidance of our Senior Class Advisor, Mr. John
P. Mullin. Formally expressing the Class' appreciation, is this year's Treasurer, Peggy Silberthau.
DR. K:
When we were Freshmen we had to adjust to a lot of new things: a new school building, a new innovation called I D T,
and a new Principal, Dr. DANIEL KNUEPPEL.
CLOSING
Four long years we've spent in this school
Doing so much besides learning,
And in each of us from time to time, a common
urge has been burning.
An urge to leave this place forever, never to see it again,
Escape the homework and early morning classes
and low ticket sales in the DEN.
But then, if you stop to think a moment
of all the good times we've had,
The truck loads of homework and early morning classes
don't seem all that bad.
Remember all the basketball games with Falk and Kemly
and Mullen,
Remember soccer, football and other good sports and our
life here doesn't seem all that sullen.
Remember the courses we took last semester, though
their context may be hard to recall.
Though we caught Senioritis and didn't quite learn volumes,
We certainly did have a ball.
Conversations in the Pit, BS sessions in the Den,
Good friends getting together -- living each day with the
people we love in fair and strong weather.
It's not the bricks or desks or blackboards that make this
place -- Tenafly High,
It's you and me, the people within, and the friends
we have made by and by.
The plays, the musicals, dances and parties
All of which we were a part.
Remember these things that we did in the past
Before it is time to depart.
Remember the good times -- learn from the bad.
Don't make the mistakes of the past. It's been four long hard
years that we'll never forget & we have reached the end at last.
The friends we have made are the essence of life,
Friends of old and friends of new,
Though the severance by time of our ties be eternal,
Remember me, I won't forget you..
GRADUATES
Before we adjourn this evening, I would like to extend an invitation to all parents and graduates to the Board of Education
Reception in the parking lot immediately following the graduation ceremony.
Following my closing remarks, Mr. Pickett will sing the school Alma Mater, at which time you are requested to rise.
I should like to extend my sincere appreciation and thanks to all the Seniors who have worked to improve overall unity and
spirit, not only within the Senior Class, but within the entire school. I would also like to publicly extend my personal
thanks to J. P. Mullin. He's a good guy.
It's difficult to say what we will all be. Some of us will be doctors, lawyers, accountants. Some of us will
be rich and others, famous. Hopefully, all of us will be happy.
