Tighe School Class of 2019
MARGATE – The Eugene A. Tighe Middle School held its eighth grade promotion exercises Wednesday, June 19 at the Dominick A. Potena Performing Arts Center. Forty-one students, including 17 members of the National Junior Honor Society, turned their tassels with dreams of their future successes.
“It’s bittersweet,” said Ellie Taube, who is headed to Atlantic City High School in the fall. “I’m excited to be moving on to high school but I will miss my friends at Tighe.”
Taube said she picked ACHS because of its diversity.
“I’m looking forward to going to school there,” she said before commencement exercises began.
Joey Pepe, whose dad was just appointed to the Board of Education, said he won a lottery to get into Ocean City High School.
“All of my family members went there and said it was a great experience,” he said. “I will miss the small classes at Tighe. Small classes are good when you are younger, but now there will be many more students in class. I’m also going to miss the teachers. I love them all.”
Gavin Grant gave the welcoming address stating that with hard work, perseverance and a little bit of empathy, anything is possible.
Gavin Grant provides the welcoming address.
“We grew and matured and experienced exciting things,” he said, recalling the Phillies winning the World Series and the Eagles winning the Super Bowl.
He was inspired by second-string quarterback Nick Foles who “demonstrated qualities we should all possess,” including showing respect for his teammates and never giving up despite some fans doubting him.
“Those core values will shape us and will carry us throughout our lives,” Grant said.
He advised his classmates to be excited about meeting new friends without forgetting their old ones.
“The person you want to be is the person you strive to be,” he said. “We are a class of achievers.”
From left, Commissioner John Amodeo, Mayor Michael Becker and Commissioner Maury Blumberg.
Mayor Michael Becker addressed the audience saying it was the 35th graduation ceremony he has attended.
The credited the administration, teachers, staff and especially the students for achieving national recognition as a Blue Ribbon school.
Commissioner Maury Blumberg said the Margate graduates were “more prepared than all the rest.”
He advised them to get involved in school activities and enjoy their days in high school because “the time will fly by.”
Commissioner John Amodeo told students they have the skills to succeed.
“Go out and make us proud,” he said.
Principal Audrey Becker said the students were starting a new chapter of their lives and may be experiencing a little bit of fear, just like they did when they entered kindergarten.
“But you are capable, confident young people and we all believe in you and know you will be prepared for new challenges,” she said.
Recalling the sadness in her face the day his daughter boarded a bus to go to kindergarten, Superintendent Thomas Baruffi, who was attending his first Tighe School graduation, informed students it is difficult at times for parents to let go.
He advised parents to keep following the bus, and told students to let their parents board the bus every once in a while.
Board member James Swift said the students graduated from the “best school system in the world,” and what they learned over the last eight years will be the building blocks for the future.
“The possibilities are endless. Believe in yourselves. You have the power to change the world.”
Tighe School Class of 2019
- Jackson McAllister Agnellini
- Patrick Kevin Armstrong
- Brittany Grace Behrens
- Eva Marie Blanco*
- Jade Day Brady
- Claire Eleanor Brooks*
- Christopher C. Brugger
- Mayla Jaye Burns*
- Ronald Mark Citta
- Ava Margaret Coffey*
- Claire Helena Coffey*
- Alexandra Dounoulis*
- Lilia Bryn Finkenauer
- Theodore John Finkenauer
- Grace Isabelle Gaskill*
- Isabella Maria Giordano*
- Gavin Louis Grant*
- Lucy Paige Green
- Brooke Marie Imperial
- Blake Barrett Laveson
- Teddy Leeds*
- Joshua Porter Leibowitz
- Mo Levin
- Cory Shea Levy
- Eric Martino
- Alexa Rae McDonald
- Morgan Claire Murphy*
- Joseph Anthony Pepe*
- Andrew Joseph Poyas
- Gabriel Alejandro Ramirez
- Sean Patrick Rickard
- William Jay Robertson
- David Jake Salvo*
- Jackson W. Schiavo*
- Samantha Rose Seligsohn*
- Bryn Rae Swift
- Paul Joseph Swift
- Ellie Rose Taube
- Kallan Kale Tripician*
- Mary Claire Wagner*
*National Junior Honor Society
