True to the lyrics in the Schuykill Valley Alma Mater, written by James Rieser, Class of 1959, that say “Gratitude we owe to you…,” the theme of thankfulness was prevalent throughout the 2015 Commencement exercises.
Speakers expressed gratitude for the Schuylkill District as a whole, the teachers, opportunities, friends and family.
The Class of 2015 processed to their seats which were outlined by floral arrangements of red and white flowers in the center of the athletic stadium, to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the Schuylkill Valley High School Concert Band directed by Kurt Schneiderhan. Next to assemble was the long line of administration and faculty in attendance to honor the graduates.
2015 Salutatorian, Matt James Longlott, initiated his speech by addressing the district, “For all you do, we thank you.”
Longlott compared the class’s experience as freshmen, saying “we enjoyed our time without many responsibilities,” to days in their senior year as a time of not knowing “where the future may guide us… We’ll be prepared. Schuylkill Valley has taught us how to be good people… We learned how to work together as a group.”
Longlott encouraged his fellow graduates to spread compassion and kindness and to “set your sights high and you will meet your dreams.”
Andrea Lizabeth Behler, the class’s Valedictorian, inspired the class of 2015 to be grateful for the memories formed from experiences at Schuylkill Valley. She asked the upcoming graduates “to make one last memory… Close your eyes… Take a deep breath… Open your eyes… Take a look around. Cherish this moment forever.”
Schuylkill Valley Principal, Patrick Sasse, advised students to find their own direction when it was his turn to address the class. His encouraging words included that “graduation is not an end. It’s a beginning.”
Sasse described how successful the Class of 2015 has been in diverse areas ranging from music to sports to academics. He told the graduates to “go out and do everything… Think outside the box.”
Dr. Warren Mata, Superintendent, arrived at the podium to congratulate the class “on reaching this milestone.”
He said that commencement is a day for students to say, “I did it!”
Mata offered last minute advice to the group, telling them that it’s important to forgive themselves when they make mistakes. He asked the graduates to remember to make time for others and to find their passions in life in order to achieve fulfillment. Mata ended his speech by saying, “promise me this. Remember to tell your (family) that you love them. Look at the stadium Every person here is proud of you tonight.”
Awards were presented to many of almost 150 students seated at the commencement exercises. Multiple local business offered awards to students with achievements in a wide range of categories including school spirit, academics, and art. Local non-profit groups also contributed gifts to graduates for advancing their education in specific fields of study, as well as for academic, artistic, and athletic achievements. As Principal Sasse stated, successes of the Class of 2015 included two appointments into the armed forces.
Six class of 2015 students graduated with the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, which requires a four-year GPA of 4.000 or higher, and were listed as Andrea Behler, Emily Hepner, Cydney Lawrence, Matt Longlott, Rebekah Rissmiller, and Carter Yenser.
With the sun setting over the stadium and recessional music performed by the high school concert band, the Schuylkill Valley class of 2015 graduates set out to do as advised by Sasse, “Make your own path.”
