Oley Valley High School presented diplomas to 122 graduates during commencement in the school stadium on June 3.
“The class of 2025 left a lasting mark on the halls of Oley Valley High School through their character and heart. They cared for one another and were great role models of what it means to be an Oley Valley graduate,” Principal William S. Harrison said in a statement.
“The 122 graduates will go on to do great things as they enter this next chapter of their lives!” Harrison said.
Student speaker Ammoni Lockhart said the one word that encapsulates all of his peers’ emotions is “change.”
“We are all about to move into this next chapter of our lives, whether that be college, the workforce, or even a gap year, but one thing that is consistent, is that we are all changing,” Lockhart said during commencement.
Her speech focused on three points: “One, live in right now. Two, life gets lifey, and three relax, relate, release.”
A little anxious about speaking, she reminded herself to be in the moment: “Embracing the emotions, relishing in all the feelings that this day brings, whether happy, sad, or a mix of both, makes this entire experience all the more exciting.”
While excited to start this next phase, Lockhart said the graduates will face challenges and wonder if everything was worth all the work or even get so busy they forget why they are doing something in the first place.
“In these moments of doubt and business it is important for us to remember our ‘why;’ if we are able to recall the reason we are doing something we will be able to persevere through the struggles,” she said, adding that when life seems out of control, they can stand in security.
“That security comes from knowing that our end goal is the prize and that each struggle is a stepping stone to strengthen us,” she said.
Lockhart urged the graduates to take time for themselves so they do not lose who they are in order to achieve their goals. She said that as they relax and relate, they should not forget to release.
“By letting go, we learn to appreciate what we have and how to cope with the idea that everything is temporary,” Lockhart said. “Some things are only meant to be in our lives for a season, and that is okay; we all were in each other’s lives for this season of life, and it has been quite a journey.”
She encouraged the class of 2025 to not forget that Oley Valley High School was the place that became a second family.
“We are going on to big things,” she said.
Student speaker Arabella Smith encouraged the graduates to think of their best moments at Oley Valley: “In 20 years when you are asked about your high school experience, those moments will be what comes to mind. Cherish them, remember them, and keep them close.”
Smith shared what her mom would say to her whenever she was upset or struggling: “Life is made of many moments, this one will pass just like the others.”
“Life is hard. There will be moments where you struggle, where you are embarrassed, where you just don’t know where to go next and there certainly be moments you wish that you could forget,” Smith said.
She said they will face countless such moments and urged them to remember that the difficulties will end and they will come out on the other side.
“Life also has endless moments of joy, small victories, and memories that we will cherish forever,” Smith said.
These moments will also end, she said.
“Remember to live in the moment now, before the moment fades to a memory.”
Smith urged her classmates to embrace and experience all of the good moments, the bad moments and everything in between.
“May your next chapter be full of unforgettable memories and valuable life lessons. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to have had some of my high school moments with all of you. I will never forget the beautiful memories I have made during my time here,” she said.
Concluding, Smith said: “Class of 2025, I wish you all the best of luck as you begin your next chapter. Live in the present and embrace every moment, whether it be joy, sorrow, or success.”
Class President Caleb Teeters said what makes the members of the Oley Valley Class of 2025 special is not just their achievements, it is how close they are.
“We may come from a small school in a rural town, but there’s nothing small about who we are. In a place where cows outnumber people and the roads are more familiar than the back of our hands, we’ve grown up surrounded by more than just cornfields — we’ve grown up surrounded by community,” said Teeters.
At Oley, they know each other’s stories.
“And through it all, we’ve learned something important: you don’t need a huge stage to make a big impact,” he said.
Whether their next step is college, the workforce, the military, or something else entirely, Teeters said the graduates carry with them the strength of where they come from: “A place that taught you to work hard, stay grounded, and never forget where you started.”
His advice: “Don’t rush the journey. Life isn’t a big race to a finish line.”
Teeters encouraged the graduates to take time and enjoy all the small, in-between moments that are just as important as large life events. Cherish them while they still last.
“As we turn the page tonight, remember this: we may be graduating from Oley Valley, but Oley Valley will never leave us,” said Teeters. “Class of 2025, go out there and be bold, be kind, and be proud of who you are and where you’re from.”
Source: Berkshire mont