Fleetwood Area High School’s 201 graduates celebrated the culmination of their hard work the past 13 years during Commencement at Kutztown University’s O’Pake Fieldhouse on June 7.
“Although for many people it may seem like it took an eternity for us to earn our diplomas, if you think about it, our time at Fleetwood has been just a small moment in our lives,” said Class President Jasmine Evans. “Even though this is just one tiny section of our lifetime, the impact that our time at Fleetwood has had on all of us is immense.”
Reflecting on how small things can make a big difference, Evans said, “Our own small actions can and will make a lasting impact on others.”
Valedictorian Celeste Cook said happiness does not come free.
“Nobody is going to offer you happiness on a platter. You create your happiness within the moment,” said Cook.
Her classmates elevated mundane scenarios into fond memories.
“When looking at my high school achievements, I don’t necessarily see those awards as my definition of happiness,” said Cook. “Happiness does not depend on your academic success or athletic worth. Instead, I think of the moments preceding those events as happiness.”
When they look back at their high school years, their awards and trophies will be covered by dust, sitting in a box in the attic. “But our memories will live on as bright as ever in our hearts.”
Looking ahead, Cook said, “While all of us look forward to bigger and better things, do not forget to look back at these small, simple moments in life and cherish them. After all, you are in charge of your own happiness.”
Salutatorian Natalie Slusser admitted she has an obsessive passion to use literary terms in her everyday life, sometimes mildly irritating her friends. Literary devices are how she learned to navigate her life.
“I just think it’s more fun to label moments as dramatic irony or thematically relevant plot points,” said Slusser. “It’s both kind of amusing and encouraging to envision ourselves as the main character from time to time.”
Describing life as if it is being written like a book is her way of incorporating levity into the day-to-day hardships she faced as a high schooler. The central theme in all of their lives is that constancy of change.
“One of the greatest ironies of life is that the only thing that ever remains the same is the fact that things will always change,” said Slusser. “It is the ultimate paradox, a conundrum that philosophers and poets have wrestled with for millennia.”
The foundation of all great stories is change, but as heroes of their own lives, they sometimes fear the unavoidable onset of change, she said.
“Letting go of a comfortable environment in exchange for something unknown is certainly not an easy feat,” said Slusser. “We must keep in mind all that we have already battled and conquered.”
To the Class of 2022, she said, “As we face one of the biggest changes of our lives, let us remember that the future provides infinitely many opportunities for positive experiences. Every day has the potential to be the day we change our stories for the better.”
Having the power to be the author of their stories, Slusser wished the graduates luck as they write their next chapter.
Outstanding Berks Career and Technology Center Student Nicholas Hill talked about friendships.
“It’s not hard to make friends in a place like Fleetwood when you have so many welcoming, friendly people surrounding you every day,” said Hill.
His friends made his high school years some of the most enjoyable experiences.
“These friendships have had a large impact on all of us and personally, I couldn’t have asked for better friends,” he said.
Hill urged the graduates to cherish their friends.
Superintendent Greg Miller acknowledged the hard work and dedication of the graduates. The Class of 2022 dealt with virtual learning, hybrid schedules, mask mandates, contact tracing and quarantines.
“It’s daunting to think about everything that you’ve had to endure over the past three years, but the reality is you did it,” said Miller. “You were faced with challenges. You worked hard, persevered and overcame those challenges to be here today.”
Graduation is a tribute to their hard work but it is also a time that demonstrates the collaborative efforts of those who contributed to their success, said Miller, leading the Class of 2022 to applaud all who supported them.
Citing the class motto, “If you have the opportunity to play this game of life, you need to appreciate every moment,” Miller said many do not appreciate the moment until it has passed. “Give some thought to that motto and really try to enjoy this moment; you deserve it.”
He believes that in order to live a full life, you must do things that excite you, scare you and challenge you.
“Do not settle for an easy path,” said Miller. “I encourage you to opt instead for the path that always challenges you to be better.”
He reminded them that failure is successfully finding another solution that did not work.
“Failing and finding what didn’t work is often more rewarding than finding a simple solution,” he said.
Miller urged the Class of 2022 “to enjoy their time, enjoy the struggles, and enjoy the process of taking the path less traveled.”
Their superpowers are their creativity, their gentle, caring heart and their ability to lead, he said.
“I challenge you to use your superpower to help improve the world.”
Following the presentation of diplomas, the Class of 2022 filed out to the fieldhouse where they were greeted by the balloon drop.
Source: Berkshire mont
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