Graduating seniors of the Class of 2023 entered the gymnasium flanked by faculty to “Pomp and Circumstance” during Hamburg Area High School’s 61st annual Commencement ceremony on Friday, June 2.
Salutatorian Aaron Smith reflected on the graduates’ high school experiences — which included impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic — and looked forward to the opportunities presented by the future.
“COVID vastly altered the normal high school experience, though despite the struggles we were able to build lifelong friendships and create lasting memories,” said Smith. “From the football games to the school musical to the prom, we’ve experienced so much together. Throughout the good times, but especially the bad ones, we have grown and learned much about ourselves and each other.”
“But our journey only picks up from here,” Smith continued, discussing the uncertainty of the rapid advancement of technologies such as artificial intelligence that Smith said presents a threat to job security in many professions.
“Though as a door closes on one profession, a window will open to another created by the new technology. These open windows can be capitalized if you have enough flexibility, learning prowess and work ethic,” Smith advised.
Valedictorian Collin Reppert said to fellow graduating seniors: “Tonight is a very special night for all of us. It marks a transition from what can be considered the first chapter of our lives into a second and new chapter.”
Looking back over the past 13 years, Reppert reflected on their kindergarten year navigating single file in elementary school, the three awkward and changing years of middle school, and as freshmen expecting four more challenging but straightforward years of education before walking across the stage and moving on with the next chapter of their lives.
“Little did we know, there were several parts of those four years that would make our high school experience anything but straightforward,” said Reppert.
In their freshman year, an early two weeks of spring break turned into months.
“Then, at last, we learned we wouldn’t come back to finish the year. Instead, in an already uncertain world, we had to figure out how to shift our entire lives into a digital setting and learn on lagging Zoom conferences quarantined away from everyone we knew and cared about,” Reppert said. “And then, when we did come back, it was almost like learning how to do high school again, trying to figure out how to socialize or simply communicate while our key facial features were covered with masks.”
In fact, the only complete and normal high school year was their senior year.
“I bring all of this up not to discredit our high school experience, or how our school handled the pandemic in those uncertain years of our life, but to instead acknowledge the significance of what this ceremony means,” Reppert continued. “None of us expected we would have to deal with the setbacks we faced when we started high school, but we did, and the fact that we are all here tonight means that we got through them.”
To the Class of 2023, Reppert said: “First, the setback you experienced in our freshman year will not be the last of its kind; unfortunately, there will be more. However, I can equally guarantee you that based on this accomplishment here tonight, you have the strength and determination to get through whatever curveball life decides to throw your way.”
These past four years significantly challenged the Class of 2023 and because of that its members are stronger and more prepared for the steps ahead, said Reppert.
“You have all worked hard for this moment, and you should be proud of your success in achieving this goal that has been in the works for all these years,” Reppert said. “You have grown and progressed much over this time into the person that you are today, and as you leave the walls of this school, you will still continue to grow and develop from the experiences and lessons you have received through this chapter of your life.”
Wishing Hamburg’s Class of 2023 the best in whatever they decide to do next, Reppert said: “You are ready for it.”
Following the presentation of awards and diplomas, 2023 Class President Kevin McFarland said to his fellow graduates: “We did it! The hard work, early mornings and late nights have finally paid off.”
McFarland said that lives are a book. Following this ceremony, the chapter of their high school career came to an end.
“Whether we like it or not, whether we feel prepared or we don’t, it’s over,” he said. “There are no more ifs, maybes or almosts; they all ended with the conclusion of this chapter and now became memories. However, as one chapter closes another begins and the beauty about this next chapter is it is yet to be named.”
He advised that if they are willing to take the harder way — the more complicated path with more failures at first than success, the one that has ultimately proved to have more victory, more glory — then they will not regret it.
To the Class of 2023, McFarland said: “Set goals for yourself and go after it, go after your dreams, and never compromise that, don’t ever let anybody tell you what you are capable of accomplishing, never let anyone tell you what you can’t do.”
“Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion,” he continued. “I hope this stays with you after today – once your book closes and all chapters are done, how good do you want the book you’re leaving behind to be?”
McFarland concluded by quoting Malcolm X: “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
“Class of 2023, we are now prepared,” said McFarland.
Source: Berkshire mont
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