Children, parents and community members lined the isles of St. Patrick Church on June 22nd in attendance for Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School's synchronous celebration of its eighth- grade students and commencement honorees.

Tom McDonnell, Dr. Elnardo Webster, Dr. Ernesto Tolentino, Avyanne DeMatas, Orlando Green, Chief Michael Kelly, Jr., Officer J. McGhee, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez and Hudson County Prosecutor's Office Chief of Staff, Carol Lamparello received plaques signifying DLEACS' gratitude for their commitment to its students.

Councilman Jermaine Robinson delivered the keynote address at the graduation. A jubilant forty-four graduates received more than $450,000.00 in scholarship aid including two tuition subsidies for private boarding schools in New York. Seventeen categories of awards were given to students including those for academic excellence, student ambassadors, environmental club, the Clark Terry Award for music, Chrome Books from DLEACS' CEO and most notable gifts to students from the Madison Family, kin to Dr. Lena Edwards herself.

DLEACS' sixth annual ceremony was marked by pomp and circumstance performed by the members of the school's band. Divine Sumcad was named valedictorian.

On graduation day, Dr. Lena Edwards Academic Charter School students stood proud of the hard work behind them, confident in the classmates beside them, and prepared for the future in front of them. We wish them luck in their future endeavors!

Please see photos of the graduation here.

See the story on NJ.com