Today, the Manchester Township School District welcomed kindergarten parents of the Class of 2037 and the Manchester Township High School (MTHS) Class of 2025 to the first-ever “Pass the Torch” ceremony.
Manchester's Pass the Torch was made possible thanks to the leadership and vision of MTHS student Jamie Popek. Jamie is a MTHS senior who was one of the 300 out of 4,000 applicants chosen to start her journey after graduation with the United States Coast Guard. Before she flew the Hawks nest, she worked diligently to bring this meaningful Pass the Torch event to life here in Manchester, focusing on uniting our high school graduates and kindergarteners in a memorable way for all to enjoy.
The goal of Pass the Torch is simple but powerful: to foster community spirit, to inspire our youngest learners as they take their first steps on their educational journey, and to honor the senior class for all they have achieved. “Our seniors stand here today, ready to pass on the lessons they have learned, the dreams they have nurtured, and the hope they have carried forward throughout their years in Manchester. And as we gather on this field, our kindergarteners look ahead with bright eyes and open hearts, and our seniors reflect on how far they have already come. It is a moment to celebrate the journey, from the first days of school, through all the challenges and triumphs, to this proud moment of graduation and beyond.”
In Manchester Township, we are guided by the principle of “Excellence by Example,” and today’s event embodied that spirit perfectly. Kindergarten students were met on the field where the MTHS graduation occurs by a MTHS senior who passed the “torch” to them, which was represented by a beautifully donated shirt thanks to the Manchester P.B.A. and MTHS. The MTHS seniors who led by example throughout their time here, now literally and figuratively passed the torch of excellence to Manchester’s kindergarteners, encouraging them to carry it forward with pride and determination.
Today marked the beginning of what will become a tradition for the Manchester Township School District that brings us all together in celebration, reflection, and unity. Thank you to Ms. Popek, Principal Adams, MTSD Transportation, and the support team of students and staff at MTHS who helped make today possible. Thank you to the kindergarten students and MTHS seniors who came together for this event. And thank you to the families who entrust their children with us every day and who excitedly joined us today for Manchester Township School District’s first Pass the Torch. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and the Class of 2037 on making history!
