Pequannock Township High School awarded diplomas to its Class of 2025 at a commencement ceremony that featured student speeches, presentations of diplomas, and formal certification that graduates have met state and district requirements.

The event brought together students, family members, school staff and district leaders for remarks from salutatorian Kate Dunham, valedictorian Ivana von Wingarden, class officer Jeremy Hawthorne and the school principal. The principal certified to the board that graduates satisfied the New Jersey Department of Education and Pequannock Township Board of Education requirements, and diplomas were presented to students on stage.

Kate Dunham, salutatorian of the Class of 2025, opened her remarks by thanking those who supported her: "This is an accomplishment I could not have made without the support of my family, friends, teachers, and peers," Dunham said. She recounted how small daily moments shaped the high school experience and urged classmates to savor the time together.

Class officer Jeremy Hawthorne reflected on community and shared experience, saying, "In a time when all that is being discussed in the world is division and strife, I think we should look back on the unity, the community, the family that we have built here together." Hawthorne noted the class's activities and traditions, from athletic and arts successes to community service and senior events.

Valedictorian Ivana von Wingarden described the personal work and support behind academic achievement: "I'm truly honored to be standing here as this year's valedictorian," von Wingarden said, and credited teachers, family and sustained effort, including taking 10 AP exams during her junior and senior years.

The principal of Pequannock Township High School presented the class to district leaders and the audience: "I present to you the PTHS class of 2025," the principal said while certifying that students had met district and state requirements for graduation.

The ceremony also recognized graduates who will enter the military and those who completed academy and vocational programs. The school named Henry Struble, who will join the Navy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and AJ Valero, who will join the U.S. Army. Administrators also acknowledged graduates from the PTHS Allied Health Academy, Aviation Academy, STEM Academy, Morris County Vocational Technical School and Morris County Community College vocational programs.

School staff and administrators thanked support teams and noted logistical details: the principal thanked custodial and maintenance staff for setting up the ceremony and said those teams moved about 600 chairs over the past two days. Staff also announced a brief recess to move the graduates for an outdoor cap toss and asked faculty and chaperones to escort students to Memorial Field.

The ceremony closed with the traditional turning of the tassels and remarks urging graduates to pursue further study, work, service or other next steps. No formal policy changes or district actions were proposed or taken at the event; the principal’s certification was the formal acknowledgement that students met the requirements set by the New Jersey Department of Education and the Pequannock Township Board of Education.