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“Always we’ll remember, though the years pass by, Alma Mater glorious, forever Randolph High.” These words echoed over Bauer Field as Randolph High School’s Symphonic Band and Choir delivered moving musical renditions to begin this evening’s celebration of the Class of 2022. Today, we celebrated the end of an amazing chapter of our graduates’ long journey in Randolph Township Schools. However, we also honored and recognized new beginnings as each graduate now embarks on and forges their own unique path.

Speaking directly to the Class of 2022, Randolph High School Principal Jessica Caruso Baxter acknowledged this journey saying: “Tonight is a celebration. It is a very happy occasion yet a bit bittersweet. I stand here on behalf of so many who have helped you along the way, both current employees and those who have retired. You have worked hard and now you are coming to the end of your time in Randolph Township Schools. I hope you leave here with good memories of engaging classes, exciting events and close friendships. Whatever your plans are for what comes next, I hope you find you have been well prepared based on the skills you have learned and experiences you have had here.” Mrs. Caruso Baxter also expressed her hopes for the Class of 2022 which she called “a special group.” She asked that each graduate surround themselves with people that make them feel good, make efforts to be a positive influence in the lives of others, and also seek health, happiness and joy.

Superintendent Jennifer Fano agreed with Mrs. Caruso Baxter’s sentiments also reiterating that the Class of 2022 has been an exceptional group of bright, well-rounded individuals. “Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to attend special events recognizing and honoring various members of the Class of 2022. I have not only encountered high achieving young adults with the skill and ability to change the world, but I have also witnessed the comradery this class has had for one another,” Ms. Fano said. “It has been such a joy to watch these young adults be so supportive, engaged, and enthusiastic about the success of their peers. Our graduates’ accolades, while extensive, could never parallel the compassion they have demonstrated and learned from one another. I am very proud of everything that each individual member of this class has achieved, and I am inspired by your actions. I say to all of our graduates sitting before us today not only congratulations, but also thank you. Your hearts will move as many mountains as your minds, and we are so privileged to have had the opportunity to educate you.”

Each year, the graduates have the opportunity to select a teacher to represent their class. Randolph High School Math teacher Glenn Douglas, as the Class of 2022’s chosen speaker, offered his own words of reflection for our graduates taking this next step in their lives by focusing on the power of intentional listening. “When you learn to listen and you learn to reflect, the only thing left is to move forward. So like the world, we will constantly be moving or changing, but somehow still be the same, unless you are daring enough to dream that new vision or movement,” Mr. Douglas said. “Be the change and be the momentum as one who truly changes the world. Remember: Learn to Listen, Learn to Reflect and then Dare to Dream. The World is Yours.”

Additional reflections were offered by Student Council President Emma Halper, Valedictorian Audrey McConnell, Co-Salutatorians Anuja Magdum and Kieran Lucus, and Senior Class President Kaley O’Meara.

Randolph Township Schools’ mission is to inspire and empower all students to reach their full potential as unique, responsible and educated members of a global society. We are grateful to all of our educators and staff who have been a part of fulfilling this mission for every graduate over the past 13 years.

Congratulations Class of 2022. You did it! We will miss you, but you will always be a part of our Randolph Family!

U.S. News has once again recognized Randolph High School as one of the most prestigious schools in the country ranking RHS in the top 8% of high schools nationally for 2022. Approximately 17,840 public schools were surveyed and evaluated based on their college readiness, college curriculum breadth, state assessment proficiency, state assessment performance, underserved student performance and graduation rate. We are grateful to be recognized for our students’ performance as it is indicative of the success our students’ will have personally and professionally later in life.

“A great high school educates all students from different social and economic backgrounds, exposing them to challenging coursework on the path to graduation. The highest ranked U.S. public schools in U.S. News & World Report's 2022 rankings are those whose students demonstrated outstanding outcomes above expectations in math, reading and science state assessments, earned qualifying scores in an array of college-level exams, and graduated in high proportions,” U.S. News Chief Data Strategist Robert Morse and Principal Data Analyst Eric Brooks said.

Randolph High School Principal Jessica Caruso Baxter added: “We are once again thrilled to be ranked on this prestigious list. I believe this is a testament to our wonderful students and educators who work hard each day. RHS is an inclusive and supportive learning environment, and our staff works diligently, not just to challenge our students intellectually, but to get to know each of them as individuals and encourage them to follow their passions. RHS achieved this ranking based on rigorous criteria including student performance on state and national assessments, college readiness, curriculum, graduation rate and underserved student performance. Rankings are a great way to recognize high performing districts, but they alone do not capture what an outstanding place Randolph High School is. We celebrate this ranking and will continue to succeed and grow as a school community.”

Randolph Township Schools has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from The NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education. Now in its 23rd year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. Randolph has received this recognition for a total of 15 years since 2003 including 9 consecutive years from 2014 - 2022.

"This recognition is quite special this year as it underscores the innovation, creativity, and determination that our incredible faculty possessed in order to deliver high quality music education to our students. As a result of their herculean efforts, our students were able to experience the joys and healing nature of music this year,” Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts John DiEgidio said. “Furthermore, the longevity that we have received this award serves as a reminder that our music department is continuing to live up to the legacy that was left to us by our predecessors and icons in music education. We stand on the shoulders of giants and continue to rise!"

Since the passage by Congress in 2015 of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and a stated emphasis on a well-rounded education, many school districts have re-committed to music and arts education programs and found that in this time of a national pandemic, provides a valuable way to keep students engaged in school. ESSA provides designated funding for well-rounded educational opportunities through Title IV Part A Student Academic Success and Achievement grants. NAMM Foundation research has revealed that these grants are being widely used by school districts to address instructional gaps in access to music and arts education.

Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music: After two years of music education, researchers found that participants showed more substantial improvements in how the brain processes speech and reading scores than their less-involved peers and that students who are involved in music are not only more likely to graduate high school, but also to attend college as well. Everyday listening skills are stronger in musically trained children than in those without music training. Significantly, listening skills are closely tied to the ability to: perceive speech in a noisy background, pay attention, and keep sounds in memory. Later in life, individuals who took music lessons as children show stronger neural processing of sound: young adults and even older adults who have not played an instrument for up to 50 years show enhanced neural processing compared to their peers. Not to mention, social benefits which include conflict resolution, teamwork skills, and how to give and receive constructive criticism.

About The NAMM Foundation

The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants and its approximately 10,400 members around the world. The foundation advances active participation in music making across the lifespan by supporting scientific research, philanthropic giving and public service programs.