As the community gathered at Montford E. Illick Stadium on the evening of June 4 to celebrate the outgoing Saucon Valley class of 2022, the clear and calm weather conditions served as a picturesque backdrop.

Although this year’s graduates spent more than half of their high school term under the cloud of COVID-19, Saucon Valley’s burgeoning adults were not deterred, with lessons learned from their unprecedented journey a common theme throughout the evening.

Following a brief introduction from high school Assistant Principal Amy Braxmeier and a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by senior members of the Chamber Choir, the ceremony kicked off in earnest with a welcome address from class Vice President James Townsend.

Townsend reflected on his class’ more traditional memory-making experiences and accomplishments, but also took a moment to show appreciation for the adults in their lives – parents, teachers and others – who helped them along the way.

He also used the opportunity to celebrate the numerous accolades and superlatives accumulated by his peers: “[Division] I athletes, Ivy League students, a [PIAA] state champion wrestling team and… two members of all-state band… We really are one of the best classes that Saucon Valley has ever had,” he said.

Class Secretary Kelly Johnson then had the honor of introducing the next two speakers, Valedictorian Charlotte Humphreys and Salutatorian/Class President Sean Cherry.

Humphreys spoke first, highlighting the options which lie ahead for her and her classmates. Some graduates may pick a college, military service, a trade school or entering the workforce as their next step, she said, but each “[will] now control how we manage our time and the choices we make.”

While Humphreys admitted to some regrets over “wasting away with my nose in a textbook” during her time at Saucon, she said that it taught her a lesson about the definition of success. “We’re not going to remember who had what grades… but rather the kind of person you [were],” she said. “You’re not just remembered by your successes, but how you treat others.”

Cherry followed, and after a brief introduction in which he jokingly referred to the nervousness with which he composed and began to deliver his speech – confessing that he felt that he had “no more insight or advice to give than any of [his] fellow graduates” – he compared the journey through high school to a childhood “Connect the Dots” puzzle book.

As Cherry speculated on “the questions and hesitancies” that he and his classmates may have in the future, he spoke of the search for “the next dot” in their respective metaphorical life puzzles. He encouraged his classmates to approach their next chapter with the same “curiosity and excitement” as they did as small children, as they “create [their] final picture.”

National Honor Society President Ava Bracalente then led an acknowledgment of the class of 2022’s academic achievers, including four National Merit Scholars: Cherry, Townsend, Ethan Grim and Nicholas Magnotta.

Ava Hartman, Student Government Association treasurer, then honored the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1972’s graduation with some fun facts and trivia before introducing the following speaker, Superintendent Jaime Vlasaty.

Vlasaty spoke of storytelling and its impact on our lives, both externally and internally. “I challenge you to… think about the most important kind of storytelling,” she said. “It’s the voice in our heads that we listen to when we are spending time worrying about all the things that could go wrong.”

Those doubts and negativity stem from “perceiving eyes” like “social media, news outlets and the rumor mill,” Vlasaty noted, which can distort reality and truth. “You will be at your best if you can separate facts and analysis,” she said, reminding outgoing seniors to “think critically – not about others, but about yourselves.”

Class Treasurer and Student Government Association President Ava Albano then introduced the faculty-selected speaker: history and social studies teacher Jessica Friday.

Friday, who’s been employed by Saucon Valley since 2000 and also leads the Debate Team, acknowledged the “political polarization, social strife and global pandemic” that the class of 2022 has lived through.

Despite – or, in some ways, because of – it all, she said she hoped they would approach the broader world with “heart, hope and determination.” She referred to several historical figures of peace, saying, “although we often lionize these heroes, we must also remember that these individuals… were also imperfect and fallible. That means that we – you – can all be the heroes that our world needs. It is up to you to create your agency.”

After an emotional conclusion from Friday, in which she shared the same words she says she tells her sons every morning – “we’re proud of you, make good choices, make the world a better place and we love you” – Albano then reclaimed the podium to introduce the final speaker of the evening, Avia Weber.

Albano said that student-selected speaker Weber, who served as Class Secretary and Student Government Association Vice President (among a lengthy list of superlatives), “has been one of the most authentic, kind and impactful students to have walked the halls at Saucon Valley.”

Weber began by asking her classmates to take a minute to appreciate the moment and spoke of “living in the present.” Born in China and adopted by American parents at the age of two, she said her path has led her to “strive to look for more in every moment, every conversation and every opportunity knowing that my life could have been completely different.”

She said her most valuable experiences were in building relationships and called herself an “accumulation of the help and guidance from my family, my selfless teachers and my incredible friends.”

Stepping out of her “comfort zone” has helped her find her purpose, Weber said, and she recommended her classmates “surround [themselves] with people that will enrich and add something to” their lives.

She talked a bit about the outside challenges her class has faced, saying, “We have lived through everything that the world is right now. Unfortunately, these have become normal occurrences in our lives.”

However, Weber maintained her remarkably positive attitude, asking her peers to “normalize failure as a part of the process…, be purposeful, value connection, choose empathy and be more,” with a poignant departing message: Later will be too late.”