VIDEO ADDED: Bernards High Graduates 196

Despite Wednesday evening's heat, the Class of 2012 that was about to graduate from Bernards High School, 196 students in total, marched out onto the school's football field showing evident joy at taking the final step in their high school careers.

Parents, faculty and friends had gathered at Bernards High School for a ceremony that began at about 7 p.m.

Graduate-to-be and Bernards High student Elena Medina spoke at the student welcoming speech, welcoming family and friends to the ceremony in which she reminded the audience of the importance of family.

“Our parents should be the first ones we thank," Medina said in addressing her fellow Bernard High students and the gathered family members sitting out in the heat. "Let us never forget where we come from.”

Following Medina’s speech, student body president Adam Rosenstein delivered the Salutatorian address — throwing some humor into the evening — while talking about how he will move forward after graduation with memories of his four years at the high school with students from four Somerset Hills communities.

Finally, Valedictorian Sarah Gilbert spoke to her classmates and the assembled crowd about the importance of education. She thanked her teachers at the school, comparing them to soldiers in a war against ignorance.

"Teachers prepare us to change the world," Gilbert said. She called upon her classmates to use the knowledge they received at Bernards High School to do just that. "Let us be revolutionary."

The ceremony ended with the performance of the Bernards High School Alma Mater performed by the High School Band and members of the Choir. Immediately following the ceremony, students and their guests moved indoors for a reception held in the gym for the class of 2012.

Bernards High is the public school for high school students from Bernardsville, where the school is located, and also from Peapack-Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster Township.

— Tim Gaziano