Class of 2011 Graduates From RFH With Wings to Fly

The Class of 2011 graduated from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) on Friday, June 17, 2001 with curiosity in their minds, pride in their hearts and wings to fly into the future.

Although the ceremony was moved inside due to rain, the excitement, joy and pride was still beaming off of each of the 221 graduates.

Throughout the ceremony, those who spoke reflected on the, the great , the event, , many shared, enjoyed, the spring production of and the overall spirit of this special class. It was clear that these graduates were proud of their accomplishments.

The class was also frequently referred to as unique or "epic" as stated by Charles Edler, the class president, in his welcoming speech. Evidence of this "epicness" is the fact that there was two valedictorians.

Mathew Kurtas, one of the class valedictorians, explained that he experienced the beautiful sense of community at RFH after brain surgery and experiencing a stroke in the middle of his senior year. "My personal struggle with illness brought me to the following conclusion.  In the hospital, a physical therapist named Peter helped me walk again. He returned to me my legs. My occupational therapist, Nancy, taught me to type and grip again. She restored my hands to me," said Kurtas. "But of all of my supporters, only the RFH community offered me wings and the ability to fly."

While Curtis encouraged his classmates to get out into the world and spread their wings, despite adversity, his co-valedictorian, Alexa Watt reminded everyone to cherish their sense of curiosity. "Curiosity is the gateway to an intellectually fulfilling life," she said in her speech.

As each graduate accepted their diploma on the same stage that they rocked out during and performed on during school plays, faculty,  friends and family cheered and applauded. There was an extreme sense of community throughout.

The Tower Singers told their peers that graduating from RFH is not an ending, but a begin with a performance where they sang, "I know we've come so far, but we've got so far to go."

Ms. Anna Higgins, the senior class advisor, summed up the experience in the final point of her address: "This class has had 4 great years, on three floors, where two towns came together to have 1 awesome time."

Check out the photo gallery above to see photos from the graduation. Click here to watch a video from the ceremony and see clips of speeches, hear the Tower Singers perform and see some great footage.