SHENANDOAH - Valedictorian Jillian Dove reminded her classmates that there are uncounted opportunities for them during Thursday's commencement exercises of the Shenandoah Valley Class of 2014 in Veterans Memorial Stadium.
There were 71 seniors processing into the stadium ready to accept their diplomas, move the tassel from one side of their caps to the other at the proper time and in the process, make their parents, relatives and friends proud of their accomplishments.
The students, faculty and administration sat at the 50-yard line with the home bleachers filled with many smiling faces. After the national anthem was sung by senior Lydia German, accompanied by the high school band, district Superintendent Stanley G. Rakowsky welcomed everyone on a beautiful evening to a very important event in the lives of the graduates.
During his welcome remarks, Rakowsky mentioned a folded American flag displayed on a table, stating it was flown over the U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, and dedicated to all Shenandoah Valley graduates who serve or have served in the armed forces. Rakowsky added that the recent death of a Schuylkill County native, Capt. Jason Benjamin Jones, in Afghanistan has a Shenandoah Valley connection.
"At this time, I'm asking you to pause and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice given by Capt. Jason Benjamin Jones, who was killed by enemy fire while serving our country in Afghanistan. Capt. Jones' mother, Suzy, is a member of the Shenandoah Valley faculty," Rakowsky said.
Class of 2014 advisor Renee Buchanan introduced Dove, salutatorian Abigail Kayes and class speaker Erika Hank. Each spoke on a specific theme, as has been the tradition for years.
"In preparation for tonight's ceremonies, we all stood in front of our mirrors, examining our reflections to ensure that we were satisfied with our appearance," Dove said on the theme of reflections. "After all, tonight will be documented with an array of smiles, tears and photographs. But as we live in the moment, we are reminded of another form of reflection - a more meaningful, personal reflection. Considering the past 18 years of our lives, we acknowledge that our past failures and successes have ultimately shaped us into the individuals we are today."
Dove said the diplomas are a reflection of years of hard work, tests and homework, but also the fun times with friends. She asked her classmates to thank teachers and administrators as they leave the field, family members and friends who helped so many times along the way, and parents or guardians who provided support and unconditional love.
"Remember how you view yourself matters more than how others do," Dove said. "People will judge you and misunderstand you, but do not allow their misconceptions to hinder your path to continued success. As a farewell, I'll leave you all with lyrics from our class song 'The Best Day of My Life' - 'but all the possibilities, no limits, just epiphanies.' The future is filled with endless opportunity. You can do anything you set your mind to!"
The theme for Kayes' speech was respect.
"Throughout our lives, we have all been affected in some way by respect or the lack thereof," Kayes said. "I once read that respect is something everyone wants, not many have, and few want to give. It saddens me to think there is truth to this statement and I wonder how we as a society can change this. Respect is a trait that is first learned at home. At an early age, children begin to develop a sense of self-respect, self-worth and respect for others based on what they learn in their environments. The concept of treating others as we would like to be treated becomes a rule to live by and carry with us wherever we go."
Kayes spoke of how much she and her classmates have learned over the last four years, from the laws of inertia, contents of a cell, causes of the Cold War, and other facts, but that they also learned lessons in respect - of authority, of diversity and being considerate of the needs of others.
"Respect and pride are two elements that usually go hand in hand, and I am proud of Shenandoah Valley and value greatly the knowledge I take with me and the powers it can hold," Kayes said. "One form of respect many of us encountered firsthand was respect for life and how it can sometimes end too quickly. This past April, our beloved honors biology teacher Mrs. Annmarie Carter passed away. This tragedy reminds us of how precious life is and how the simple chance to wake up to another day is oftentimes taken for granted."
Kayes concluded, "Respect yourself, respect others, and respect life and all the opportunities it holds so you can continue to be proud of yourself."
The theme for the class speaker was responsibility, and Hank said it has been taught from a very early age.
"It is this sense of responsibility instilled in our minds early in our lives that prepared us for the challenges of high school," Hank said. "As we made the transition from elementary to junior high, we adapted to conform to the expectations of secondary school. To do this, we became more independent, learning to be responsible enough to find our classes, complete or sometimes arduous or tedious assignments, and manage our time properly without the assistance of those on whom we depended as children."
Hank spoke of her time at Shenandoah Valley, forming strong friendships, learning valuable life lessons, laughing, crying and being molded into what she is today.
"In retrospect, I see now that SV has done extraordinarily well in preparing us for the responsibilities we will take on later in life," Hank said. "We have learned to be responsible young adults ready to venture into life beyond high school, and I have no doubts our class will do well."
The guest speakers were the Wall of Fame inductees: Dynise Balcavage, Class of 1983; Robert "Bucky" Buckanavage, Class of 1959; and Edward Tobin, Class of 1975. Three alumni are selected each year for the Wall of Fame, located inside the high school, for their accomplishments in their career fields.
Balcavage's literary resume consists of three mass market vegetarian cookbooks, available online or in bookstores in the U.S. and abroad, and 11 nonfiction books for young readers on a wide range of topics. She earned a bachelor's degree in visual arts from Kutztown University and a master's degree in English with a writing concentration from Arcadia University.
In addition to her writing, Balcavage holds a "day job" as an associate creative director at Digitas Health, a Philadelphia health care advertising agency, past of Paris' Publicis Groupe.
Buckanavage received favorable recognition for his outstanding athleticism as a member of the 1958 Blue Devils football team that went on to play for the Eastern Conference Championship. After high school, "Bucky" attended Temple University on a football scholarship, and subsequently graduated with a major in health and physical fitness and a minor in biology. He initially began his teaching career as a health and physical education instructor at Riverside High School, and six years later after earning a master of arts degree, he was hired by the Pennsbury School District as a health and physical education instructor, and has been a football and wrestling coach and athletic director. In 1973, he became an assistant principal in charge of discipline and attendance. After 23 years as a director of Health, Athletics and Community Services in the Pennsbury School District, he retired from public education and became founder and president of the Sports Wellness Management Group.
Tobin graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor of science degree in administration of justice in 1979, and is a graduate of the municipal officers' traning class at Hershey State Police Academy. He was a member of the Pine Grove police force in 1982-83 and receive a letter of commendation for the apprehension of a burglary suspect. In 1983-2011, he began as a uniformed police officer with the Warwick Township Police Department and became a detective, detective sergeant, lieutenant detective and chief of police. He was the lead investigator in the Ludwig/Borden murder investigation, which is the subject of the book, "Desire Turned Deadly." In January 2012, he became a magisterial district judge.
Tobin and Buckanavage received their framed awards and spoke to the students and audience. Due to a family issue, Balcavage was unable to attend. Accepting the award on her behalf was her classmate and friend, Anne Ulicny Taylor, who is also a Shenandoah Valley teacher. Taylor read comments from Balcavage.
Buchanan read the names of the graduates, who accepted their diplomas from school board President William M. Grutza and Secondary Principal Phillip R. Andras. After the diplomas were received, the mantle was presented by Class of 2014 President Erin Buchanan to Class of 2015 President Riley Miller.