One Chair. One Diploma. One Life Forever Remembered

The Empty Chair

The 116th Commencement Ceremony at Linden High School was set to begin. The gymnasium was packed. 503 members of the Class of 2026 sat in their caps and gowns, ready to walk across the stage.

But before the first graduate stepped forward, the ceremony paused.

Near the front of the gymnasium, one chair sat empty. It was draped in a black graduation gown and gold stole. It belonged to Jabari Thomas, an 11th-grade student who lost his battle with cancer on October 17, 2025. He was 16 years old.

For Union County Life readers in Linden, this moment—this pause—was about more than honoring someone who had passed. It was about making sure his classmates and his school never forgot he was here.

The Tribute

Vice Principal Stephanie Moreira stood before the crowd. She spoke about Jabari—his spirit, the way he showed up, the mark he left on Linden High School.

Then two members of his family walked to the stage. Board of Education member Philip Campo presented them with an honorary diploma in Jabari's name.

The applause that followed wasn't just for a diploma. It was a community wrapping its arms around a family.

Who He Was

Jabari loved acting and music production. He dreamed of becoming an engineer. He spent hours immersed in Japanese anime and the Marvel universe—Spider-Man in particular. He found his people in Linden High School's Gaming Club and expressed himself through creative writing. At the time of his passing, he had begun writing the story of his own life.

His teachers remembered a student whose curiosity enriched the classroom. His friends remembered someone who never seemed to lose his smile. His mother, Asiah, remembered a son whose dreams reached far and whose determination inspired everyone around him.

An 11th-grader with hopes. An engineer in the making. A friend. A son.

What the Empty Chair Meant

The empty chair was a symbol of loss. But it was also something else—proof that Jabari Thomas was, and always will be, part of the Class of 2026. That he belonged there. That he still belongs there.

The Class of 2026 will carry that with them—into college, into careers, into the rest of their lives. They'll remember the pause in the ceremony. They'll remember the empty chair. And they'll remember Jabari.

FAQ

Q: Who was Jabari Thomas?
Jabari Thomas was an 11th-grade student at Linden High School who passed away on October 17, 2025, after a battle with cancer. He loved acting, music production, anime, creative writing, and was part of the Gaming Club. He dreamed of becoming an engineer.

Q: Why did Linden High School award an honorary diploma?
Jabari was set to graduate with the Class of 2026. Linden High School honored him by presenting an honorary diploma to his family at the June 23 commencement ceremony, ensuring he was recognized as part of his graduating class.

Q: How many students graduated from Linden High School in 2026?
503 students graduated at Linden High School's 116th Commencement Ceremony on June 23, 2026.

Q: Who presented the honorary diploma?
Board of Education member Philip Campo presented the honorary diploma to Jabari's family during the ceremony.