Graduation Day

"Limits... You didn’t put limits on your children, and today they are graduating."  That was the message to Matheny parents from Tim McLoone, president of McLoone’s Restaurants and founder of Holiday Express, an all-volunteer band that has established a special relationship with the students and patients at Matheny.

Ten students graduated from the Matheny School on June 18:  Jaime Barnes, Steven Finn, Steven Gauthier, Richard Howell, Richard Kelly, Amanda Kochell, Cherilyn Kratina, Andrew Lewis, Ryan Stifter and Natasha Williams.  McLoone was the keynote speaker, but the graduates also heard from Father Edward Puleo of the Parish Community of Saint Elizabeth-Saint Brigid; Sheryl Gavaras, principal; Steve Proctor, president; and Peapack-Gladstone Mayor William Horton.   Kochell was valedictorian and Stifter was salutatorian.  Diplomas were presented by Gavaras and vice principal Sean Murphy, and the incomparable musical accompaniment was provided by members of the music therapy department.