PHHS Graduation Filled with Mischief and Memories

The Parsippany Hills High School graduation was planned originally to take place outdoors. News of impending bad weather led school officials to re-think the decision, but in the end, they decided to go with holding the event at the school's football field. 

So hundreds of people trekked to the field and took seats on the metal bleachers. Faculty members and staffers took time and care transporting programs and diplomas and setting up many, many chairs.

Just before the 6 p.m. start time,  thunder and lightning came—fearsome cracks—and water poured from the skies.

Staffers moved feverishly and furiously to get everything moved inside, and fast. Graduation guests made like the wind to get into the school building before getting drenched. Tempers surged and nerves frayed. People fretted over lost tickets while others argued over who would get auditorium seats.

Eventually, the ceremony began about 35 minutes late.

The procession started, led by the Hills' principal, Dr. Nancy Gigante, as the PHHS chorus offered a beguiling vocal rendition of the classic "Pomp and Circumstance." The graduates followed wearing light blue (for girls) and black (for boys) gowns and matching mortarboards.

The audience witnessed the usual graduation speeches filled with moving motivational passages and inspiring words.

Schools Superintendent LeRoy Seitz mentioned that Hills seniors have received a total of $9.5 million in scholarships and financial aid for college. 

"That reflects how well you've done at the Hills," he said. "I wish you great success and that you find your passion and study it for the rest of your life. I wish you love. And I hope you do something our generation hasn't, that you'll achieve peace throughout the world."

Board of Education member Anthony Mancuso—father of new graduate Matthew Mancuso—praised the graduates' parents and called on the kids to give them a standing ovation.

As the speeches went on, the seniors acted like kids. They tossed beach balls (and even a blow-up doll at one point) and toilet paper rolls and shouted every time someone on stage said the word "class." By the ceremony's end, even the officials on stage were laughing with the students and cheering the sight of another beach ball in the air while a hapless teacher comically attempted to take it away.

Finally, the diplomas were all distributed and silly string and caps went flying into all directions. Bedlam ensued, but it was a happy bedlam as families hugged, photos were snapped and dried silly string was pulled out of hair.