It was a beautiful evening outside and inside Saucon Valley HS as 174 seniors took to the auditorium stage for their last official high school function. Family and friends watched June 9 as the senior class of 2017 conducted commencement exercises and took their place among Saucon Valley alumni.

The evening was full of laughter and bittersweet tears as student and faculty presenters shared cherished memories of the tight-knit class going as far back as middle school and fortifying words for the future.

Organist Dr. Michael Krentz ushered the graduates into the auditorium with an organ arrangement of “Pomp and Circumstance” and the Graduation Chorus led the entire company in the National Anthem. They later performed a moving rendition of Kim Andre Arnesen’s “Flight Song.”

Senior Class President Konstandinos Zaharakis kicked off the evening with musings from years of school activities, funny moments during classes, inside jokes and a memorable class trip. Then he encouraged his class to dream big about what lies ahead, especially living in a country that nourishes and encourages dreams, he noted.

“The American dream is that you can dream,” Zaharakis declared. He continued, “I’m so proud to be president of such a kind, hardworking, successful, free-thinking class.”

Acting Principal Kenneth Napaver also told the graduates to dream big dreams and never let fear of failure stop them from chasing those dreams.

“My wish for you is that when you are 80, you don’t look back on your life and realize that every-day life got in the way of you pursuing your dreams,” declared Napaver. “Life passes us all by so quickly; don’t waste time by trying to live up to someone else’s expectations or idea of what your life should be. Don’t let the opinions of others diminish your dreams. More importantly, have the fortitude and the courage to capture your own destiny.”

Cheri Chisesi, mathematics teacher and the class’s chosen faculty graduation speaker, followed Zaharakis. With the graduates on the threshold of some big changes in their lives, she reminded them that change is something they’ve undergone since birth and the changes to come are simply part of that journey.

“I encourage you to change this world and challenge this world, and it will be better because you are in it, and we will be here to help you,” Chisesi told the graduates. “This is because,” she continued, paraphrasing John Denver to cheers from the graduates, “there will always be a place where you belong, but it’s not West Virginia, or mountain momma; it’s Saucon Valley.”

The smiling graduates immediately broke out in the chorus of “Country Roads,” a chorus that had come to be a trademark of their class over the years.

Salutatorian Kayleigh Boyle, majoring in biochemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, took to the podium and emphasized the power she and her classmates each have to shape the future.

“We are completely in charge of our own destinies,” Boyle declared. She continued, quoting F. Scott Fitzgerald, “’It’s never too late to become whoever you want to be… I hope you live a life you’re proud of, and if you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.”

Valedictorian Rebecca McCabe inspired her classmates to embrace challenges, have fun, and hold on to good memories.

“If you have a bad day a week from now, a year from now, or a decade from now, remember your time at Saucon, and ‘that one time in English class when…’”

The graduates lastly heard from Superintendent Dr. Monica McHale-Small who advised them not to allow their goals to get in the way of their dreams.

“Goals are external things we work at accomplishing, but dreams are internal – they bring us joy,” McHale – Small explained. “Don’t get caught up checking things off your to-do list that you forget who you are and who you want to be.”

McHale – Small relayed that she, too, will be embarking on a new phase of life with her impending retirement. She advised the graduates to do what has worked for her throughout her life – to take calculated risks, because “in 20 years you’ll be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the things you did.”

The graduates’ next steps include military service, entering the workforce and pursuing higher education at colleges and universities spanning the U.S. Distinguished awards were given to 35 students.