By OLIVIA IANNONE

Opinion Editor

        The annual Senior Dinner at The Mill in Spring Lake Heights Thursday night was an emotional event, seniors said, marking the beginning of the end of school for the Class of 2013.

        Math teacher Justine Lane said she considers the dinner her favorite night of the year because it is the first time that students, teachers, administration and parents get together to celebrate a class’ accomplishments.

        During the event, each student received individual recognition for his or her achievements. Their doings at CHS as well as their future college and major were announced one by one.

        Departmental awards were given to students selected by CHS faculty for outstanding achievement in one subject. Several scholarships were also awarded, and the PSFA presented each student with a $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com.

        The graduates also received a certificate of recognition from the New Jersey State Legislature for completing their CHS careers, which were signed by officials including state Assemblywoman Carolyn Casagrande and State Sen. Jennifer Beck, both representing Monmouth County.

        Principal James Gleason reported that Casagrande took the initiative to produce the certificates. She called the school for the names of seniors without being contacted or requested to do so, he said.

        But what made the event stand out to both students and teachers were the memories and emotions that engulfed them, they said.

        “Kiera Brennan gave a beautiful speech that made me cry,” said senior McKenzie Pavacich of Ocean. “I was never emotional about this school before last night.”

        “I think it made everyone realize that we really are finally graduating,” said senior Morgan Hennessy of Hazlet.

        At what Lane considers a celebration of memories, the dinner caused sentimental feelings to sink in for many as they looked back on their years at CHS through speeches and the senior video.

        “You realize that this group of kids who didn’t know each other at all, now they’ll be friends for life,” Lane said.

        “This was a very talented group of students who did a fantastic job with their time here at CHS,” Gleason said of the Class of 2013, pointing out their tolerance and friendliness as a group as an unusual asset.

        Senior Class Adviser Ginny Clevenger agreed and described the outgoing seniors in very simple terms: “62 girls. 26 boys. One family.”