Photo by Steve Ellmore
ORANGE, NJ — Lounie Germain, the valedictorian of the Orange High School Class of 2016 loves her class, her school and the city of Orange, as she said in her valedictory speech at the school’s commencement ceremony at the Richard Codey Arena in West Orange on Friday, June 24.
“I love Orange because this is where I come from,” said Germain on Friday, June 24. “I met some of the caring, influential, sweet and smart people in this room. Class of 2016, from diapers to diplomas, we finally made it.”
But as proud as Germain said she was for herself and her classmates for reaching the goal they’ve all strived for together in the Orange public school system, she said June 24 was also bittersweet, since graduation day meant they would be going on to bigger and better things in life, except they wouldn’t be doing it together.
“In reality, we all know that we are going to miss this school and all of its inhabitants,” said Germain. “As a senior, everything looked smaller. I truly thank Orange High School and I’m proud to be a Tornado.”
Germain said she was so proud to be an Orange High School Tornado and member of the Class of 2016 that she will proclaim it wherever she goes after graduation. Germain plans to attend Central State University in Ohio.
“I’m going to represent so much Orange in Ohio that they’re going to say: ‘Orange is the new black,’” Germain said. “We will finally be walking across this stage. Over the years, this group of awkward kids have blossomed into one of the greatest classes that you’ve ever seen.”
And Germain said that greatness would last until they all meet up again at the Class of 2016 10-year reunion.
Germain’s fellow Class of 2016 members, Tyler Taylor, Lorene Bonds and Mala Iacha said if there was one thing they wanted everyone to know about their class, it would be its dedication to “black excellence.”
“I want to be a music producer and entrepreneur,” said Taylor, who described himself as a trendsetter. “I’m going to the same place as Lounie, Central State. We’re going to be good.”
Bonds said the Class of 2016 has already proven how good they already are, but she said they didn’t make it to graduation day alone and they’re not going to be moving onward, upward and forward in their lives as solo acts either.
“I’m excited; I was just so anxious to get my diploma; I’m ready to move on,” said Bonds on Friday, June 24. “It’s great to have family support. I want people to know that the Class of 2016, we are victorious and we are strong.”
Bonds’ father, Joshua Bonds, and brother, John Miller, were both on hand at the Codey Arena on Friday, June 24, to watch her get her diploma.
“I’m here for my daughter, Loren Bonds, and I made her a promise,” Joshua Bonds said.
Miller said keeping promises is important in their family. His sister plans to enroll at Essex County College for two years, earn an associate’s degree and then transfer to Kean University to become a clinical psychologist.
“It’s cool because he made it, she made it and we made it,” said Miller on Friday, June 24. “I’m very proud of her. She did what she had to do and she just kept it moving.”
Reggie Miller, a member of the Orange High School Class of 1985 and the founder of the Male Student Support Program at the Orange Preparatory Academy, was chosen to be the keynote speaker at the graduation. He said it was an honor he never expected, but he was grateful for the opportunity to discuss brotherhood and sisterhood.
“I’m trying to tell people to buy into that Orange Pride. … I think that’s what’s missing in the ‘hood: feeling good about where they came from. Don’t neglect where you came from. Even though you don’t have a big house or whatever, you still represent where you’re from. There are people that are doing things for you and you’ve got to go out and show that, ‘Hey, I’m from Orange and I can make it, too.’”
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