Princeton, NJ celebrates Evan Gershkovich

During his high school years, teachers said, Gershkovich excelled both athletically and academically and wrote for the school newspaper.

Former teammates, coaches and other community members gathered Sunday at Conte's Pizza, a long-time favorite spot for Princeton High School celebrations.

Wayne Sutcliffe, another former coach, said a celebration of this kind gives the community a chance to take a breather.

“It's finally over, we know he's OK, and it's more of a cause for celebration than hope now,” he said.

Sutcliffe, who still teaches at Princeton High, said Gershkovich received an open invitation to come back and meet the current football team.

“We're going to do a training session and you're going to say a few words because everyone here would like to see you,” he said.

Current coach Ryan Walsh said that last year the team wore “Free Evan” T-shirts and participated in several awareness events.

“It was just about keeping his name in the news and putting pressure on him to bring him home. Our job was to keep him in the conversations and in our thoughts,” he said.

“It feels like happiness is in the air and you can taste its sweetness,” said headmistress Cecelia Birge.

She said the whole ordeal had given students an opportunity to reflect on the value of freedom of the press and freedom of expression, as well as other freedoms they all hold dear.

“This is an important life lesson, we can all learn a lot from it,” she said.