Commencement Justin Gmelich, Trinity Hall co-founder, board member, and parent, addressed the Class of 2020. Here are a few excerpts from his commencement address: I am so thrilled for us to be able to meet here today in person. It was not easy to get here; we refused to accept a virtual version and we are happy to recognize the culmination of these girls’ time at Trinity Hall.
ADDRESS
Notably, this is our last founding class. Remember, when we started Trinity Hall, we started with just a freshman class. So the ladies here today matriculated as freshmen and we had our first complete school. The Class of 2020 is comprised of 65 strong, independent women, and they have done an incredible job. Let’s reflect on what you have seen directly or tangentially in your roughly 18 years of life: Your birthdates bracketed the horrific 9/11 event, and tragedy was around you right from the start. Not an easy beginning to say the least but thank God for our families who carried us through it. When you were about 10 years old, the Jersey shore and the eastern seaboard encountered superstorm Sandy – the second worst hurricane in US history. I am sure many of you were displaced from your homes, endured black outs, and learned to live on generators. And yet again your family circled the wagons keeping you safe. Fast forward to the spring of 2020; a global pandemic and the largest social justice movement in 50 years happened concurrently, in the last semester of your high school career. Forcing you and us to table a normal last semester of high school. And like every other time in your life, your parents and family have been there to help. Life has already thrown the Class of 2020 a lot of curves. You have persevered both individually and as a group. Take confidence in your ability to face adversity. It’s been around you from the start. I took the liberty of asking my daughters about the class of 2020 and my second-oldest described it pretty well: “You know dad, they have their cliques just like every other high school, but they all really respect and get along with each other. Kind of like the Olympic rings.” I thought that was pretty cool - each group distinct, overlapping but inextricably linked. The Class of 2020 has accomplished many things, like starting the ice hockey program and the gymnastics team. You excelled on the courts, on the stage and on the fields. Our school won the illustrious ShopRite cup last year, given to a high school that scores the most cumulative points which are earned by the performance of our athletic teams. It is simply unheard of that a school in existence only six years could win this coveted award. I am pleased to announce that Trinity Hall has won it again this year. Back-to-back cups. Hard to argue with success.
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