MAST Class of 2023 … A Bittersweet Address

June 24, 2023

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MAST Class of 2023

Monmouth County Commissioner Lillian G. Burry addressed the MAST Class of 2023 at their graduation ceremonies on Pershing Field on Fort Hancock Thursday at noon, for the last time as a County Commissioner. The long time Commissioner and former Chairman is not seeking reelection when her term expires in December.

Burry has been the principal speaker at every MAST graduation in recent years. A strong supporter of the Monmouth County Vocational School District’s program on historic Fort Hancock, Burry was an indefatigable advocate for expanding the NJROTC program facilities at the school. Most recently, one building was completely rehabilitated and stores more than $1 million on Navy equipment and uniforms of students for their NJROTC program. A former barracks has been under construction for several years for conversion to an inside drill area, classrooms and office for the NJROTC program. Every student at MAST is a member of the NJROTC program.

Commissioner Burry ‘s address to the MAST Class of 2023:

There are a number of important individuals who make MAST what it is: Commander Tracie Smith-Yeoman, (USN ret.) Senior Naval Science Instructor, Principal Earl Moore, Superintendent Dr. Charles Ford, Asst. Superintendent Sean Meehan, Dr. Les Richens, Dr.. Brian McAndrew, Dennis Ingoglia, Anthony Schaible, John Bonanni and our county administrator Terri O’Connor.

Then, accenting the primary subject of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology curriculum and the future studies in the marine sciences MAST has provided for students, the Commissioner continued:

As I stand here with you today, I think it is particularly appropriate to remember that most of the world’s surface is covered with water. While others may look to the moon or dream of life on Mars, we should all remember that it is our oceans that remain the great undiscovered country of planet Earth.

Just recently, in a small patch of ocean, researchers identified 5,000 new species of marine life. It is the ocean that ultimately absorbs 90 per cent of the carbon dioxide that is heating our atmosphere and it is changes in ocean currents and temperature that influence our climate, our fisheries and the lives of so many important marine species.

The education you have received here has prepared you to not only pursue and participate in the future of the oceans, but to become leaders and discoverers of new opportunities and solvers of problems that are both with us today and may emerge in the future.

Endless possibilities are laid out before you whether you choose careers in the military. the Navy, or Coast Guard…or in the marine sciences or emerging industries. In a competitive world no students enter it better prepared than you are. The future is both before you and here today. Embrace it and cherish it. Care for, defend and protect it.

Go proudly with the pride and confidence we have in you knowing our futures in in your sure hands.