BY SUSAN BRYANT

sbryant@tnonline.com

Class of 2022 President Hana Yang, carrying the class key, led approximately 775 of her classmates toward the next memory, experience in their lives receiving their high school diplomas at Parkland High School’s commencement June 7 at the PPL Center, Allentown.

The procession of seniors dressed in red and gray gowns, walked into the arena as the high school band, under the direction of Jason D. Lerew, performed “Pomp and Circumstance,” by Edward Elgar.

Welcoming the Class of 2022, family, friends, school board members and staff was high school Assistant Principal Crystal George.

George said she was happy everyone could come together to celebrate the Class of 2022.

“Tonight’s ceremony is a time of reflection and joy,” George said.

Yang, before presenting the class key to Class of 2023 President Siddhant Khandelwal, told her classmates,

“I cannot begin to express how incredibly grateful and proud I am to be standing here to represent our extraordinary, accomplished class as your class president the last four years. It has been an absolute honor.

“Today I was asked to speak on behalf of our class on our experiences and memories of our years in high school.”

Yang metaphorically used the idea of the soon-to-be-graduates as shoppers using carts to collect all their memories and experiences over the last four years.

“We have made it to the end of this trip and now comes the most important question, are you going to return the shopping cart back to where you found it?” she asked. “Now returning a shopping cart is easy, yet somewhat an inconvenient task and one we all recognize is the right thing to do “People who do the right thing even when the spotlight is not shining on them, people who think of others before themselves. People who hope to better the world for good do so one step at a time.

“That is why I announce in memory of the 21 precious lives lost in Uvalde, Texas, exactly two weeks ago today, the Parkland High School Class of 2022 will donate $4,800 to the Robb Elementary Relief Fund to support the families who were impacted.

“Let this act be not merely our class gift, but our first act of returning our shopping cart. An act of hope for a brighter future.”

After a musical presentation of “Make Them Hear You,” student speaker Georgi Butch addressed the class.

“I think our class deserves a lot of credit because there is more we are celebrating tonight than just achievements,” she said. “We are celebrating endings, beginning, journeys completed and those we are yet to embark on and, most importantly, choose to celebrate adversity, everything that everyone of us had to overcome to get to the point we are at now.

“No mater what you might have faced in the process of getting to this moment just know your challenges were valid and worth wild.

“But I now encourage all of you to take a minute to look back on a time you had faced adversity during those four years and think about opportunities you might not have had because of that adversity.

“I ask you to do this because at my time at Parkland I have realized there is sometimes beauty in struggle, and I found recognizing it makes our world better.

“If the adversity we have faced has not kept us from accomplishing our goals nothing can ... So, no matter where we are headed or where we end up, I urge all of us to look back and find the opportunity we’ve had in our adversity, the beauty in our struggles and to keep looking for it because what is left in the wake of memory is us now, the present and the future.”

After recognition of National Honor Society students, and greetings and presentation of the Top 3 percent of the Class of 2022, Dr. Mark J. Madson, superintendent of Parkland School District, addressed the class.

“I am truly inspired by this class through what has been an extremely difficult year,” Madson said. “The graduating class was tasked with navigating what has been some of the most challenging times any of us have seen.

“It is inspiring to see the many accomplishments this group as a whole has achieved ... Through each of these pillars (academics, arts, and athletics) you have made us proud.

“Be proud of what you have accomplished and will accomplish ... I can say after seeing everything and all that you have accomplished, I am confident we are in great hands.

“Finally, Class of 2022, I offer my sincere congratulations to all of you for everything you have accomplished. Congratulations and best wishes.” James E. Moniz II, high school principal, who was attending his own son’s graduation from Freedom High School, Bethlehem, spoke to the soon-to-be graduates via video, first telling them he was with them in spirit.

“What I will share is this Class of 2022 is amazing,” Moniz said. “Without question one of my favorite senior classes I have had the pleasure of knowing over 15 years as a high school principal.

“This past year, the Class of 2022 continually demonstrated outstanding scholarship, communication, character, leadership and personality to help Parkland students learn how to coexist again with 3,200 students while still accomplishing significant accomplishments in academics, athletics, and the visual and performing arts.

“This group will certainly make their mark and I am very excited to learn about all their accomplishments.”

After the awarding of the diplomas by David J. Hein, president of the Parkland School Board, and Madson, Assistant Principal Terry M. Meehan closed the commencement by saying “All of our best wishes and remember to make it a great life.”