their loss. His passing was a great loss to many and our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
He took a small sip of water from a glass that was hidden on a shelf within the podium and continued, “I would also like to take this opportunity to make a special announcement. Starting today this field will no longer be known as Cliffside Park High School Field, but rather will now be recognized by its new official name, the Dante Malone Memorial Field.”
Cheers were heard throughout the field, while a huge white tarp that was covering the scoreboard at the back of the field was being removed by the maintenance crew. There, written in large black lettering, was “Dante Malone Memorial Field.”
There wasn’t a dry eye to be found. Students embraced, while family and friends held and comforted one another. The Wentworths were seated beside the Malone’s as they held hands tightly. Janice and Mike had originally not planned on attending the ceremony, but Mr. Ortiz had called them the night before and requested they be there for a special announcement. He hadn’t indicated what it was, only saying he believed they would be pleased. Both women were dabbing their eyes with tissues while the men fought back tears.
As the ceremony progressed, names of the students were called out in alphabetical order. Applause and cheers were heard as each student walked onto the stage, shook hands with the principal and the superintendent of schools, collected his or her diploma, and finally, as indication that they were now graduates and no longer students, flipped the tassel hanging from their cap to the other side.
There was much applause and shouts of “God bless you!” and “Congratulations!” and “Be strong!” as Brendon and Joey received their diplomas. As Brendon collected his, he quickly turned toward the microphone set up at the podium, raised his diploma up high, and said loudly, “Dante, we love…you.” The tears began to flow once again, commencing with his own as he faltered and choked on a sob before continuing on and adding, “Party on.”
Mr. Ortiz continued calling out names and shaking hands. “Lauren Wang…Christopher Waylons…Sofia Webster…Jarrod Wentworth. On behalf of his brother who sadly was not well enough to attend the ceremony today, Alec Wentworth will be accepting his diploma. Susan Wilson…Michael Womac…”
After further speeches by the valedictorian and the superintendent of schools, songs were sung by the chorale group and lastly, a final benediction was given by Father Anton of St. John the Baptist Church. Mr. Ortiz took to the podium one last time and said, “Thank you one and all for joining us today here at the Dante Malone Memorial Field to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2012. We wish our former students much success as they embark on a new journey in this we call life. Good luck and God bless. Congratulations!” As he said these last words, a mass of black and red caps were flung into the air like confetti on New Year’s Eve.
When the Wentworths returned home, Alec walked in still wearing the black cap and gown, holding the diploma in his hand and humming the tune to “Pomp and Circumstance.” Jarrod, who was lying on the sofa watching MTV, turned to look at Alec.
“It appears that congratulations are in order,” said Jarrod as he slowly lifted himself into a sitting position.
“Congratulations,” replied Alec.
“Thank you. Now where’s my diploma?”
“Here you go,” Alec said as he passed the diploma to his brother.
“Wait! Let me get a picture of this,” said Janet as she rummaged through her handbag and pulled out her camera.
Jarrod looked at her as if she had two heads and said dryly, “Ma, you’re kidding, right?”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
“Ahhh, c’mon, Mom,” Jarrod responded.
“Oh, stop your bellyaching. I understand why you weren’t able to attend the ceremony today, but it’s still your graduation
He took a small sip of water from a glass that was hidden on a shelf within the podium and continued, “I would also like to take this opportunity to make a special announcement. Starting today this field will no longer be known as Cliffside Park High School Field, but rather will now be recognized by its new official name, the Dante Malone Memorial Field.”
Cheers were heard throughout the field, while a huge white tarp that was covering the scoreboard at the back of the field was being removed by the maintenance crew. There, written in large black lettering, was “Dante Malone Memorial Field.”
There wasn’t a dry eye to be found. Students embraced, while family and friends held and comforted one another. The Wentworths were seated beside the Malone’s as they held hands tightly. Janice and Mike had originally not planned on attending the ceremony, but Mr. Ortiz had called them the night before and requested they be there for a special announcement. He hadn’t indicated what it was, only saying he believed they would be pleased. Both women were dabbing their eyes with tissues while the men fought back tears.
As the ceremony progressed, names of the students were called out in alphabetical order. Applause and cheers were heard as each student walked onto the stage, shook hands with the principal and the superintendent of schools, collected his or her diploma, and finally, as indication that they were now graduates and no longer students, flipped the tassel hanging from their cap to the other side.
There was much applause and shouts of “God bless you!” and “Congratulations!” and “Be strong!” as Brendon and Joey received their diplomas. As Brendon collected his, he quickly turned toward the microphone set up at the podium, raised his diploma up high, and said loudly, “Dante, we love…you.” The tears began to flow once again, commencing with his own as he faltered and choked on a sob before continuing on and adding, “Party on.”
Mr. Ortiz continued calling out names and shaking hands. “Lauren Wang…Christopher Waylons…Sofia Webster…Jarrod Wentworth. On behalf of his brother who sadly was not well enough to attend the ceremony today, Alec Wentworth will be accepting his diploma. Susan Wilson…Michael Womac…”
After further speeches by the valedictorian and the superintendent of schools, songs were sung by the chorale group and lastly, a final benediction was given by Father Anton of St. John the Baptist Church. Mr. Ortiz took to the podium one last time and said, “Thank you one and all for joining us today here at the Dante Malone Memorial Field to celebrate the graduation of the Class of 2012. We wish our former students much success as they embark on a new journey in this we call life. Good luck and God bless. Congratulations!” As he said these last words, a mass of black and red caps were flung into the air like confetti on New Year’s Eve.
When the Wentworths returned home, Alec walked in still wearing the black cap and gown, holding the diploma in his hand and humming the tune to “Pomp and Circumstance.” Jarrod, who was lying on the sofa watching MTV, turned to look at Alec.
“It appears that congratulations are in order,” said Jarrod as he slowly lifted himself into a sitting position.
“Congratulations,” replied Alec.
“Thank you. Now where’s my diploma?”
“Here you go,” Alec said as he passed the diploma to his brother.
“Wait! Let me get a picture of this,” said Janet as she rummaged through her handbag and pulled out her camera.
Jarrod looked at her as if she had two heads and said dryly, “Ma, you’re kidding, right?”
“Do I look like I’m kidding?”
“Ahhh, c’mon, Mom,” Jarrod responded.
“Oh, stop your bellyaching. I understand why you weren’t able to attend the ceremony today, but it’s still your graduation
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