Threatening skies loomed above Al Erdosy Stadium June 2 as 442 Northampton Area High School seniors waited their turn to officially become members of the graduating Class of 2023.

Nothing was going to dull the excitement these students shared as they prepared to leave high school for the last time.

NAHS Principal Luke Shafnisky offered opening remarks for family, friends, staff, alumni and students who filled the bleachers and playing field.

“Graduation day marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lives,” Shafnisky said.

He reminded the soon-to-be graduates, “As you follow your dreams and set forth on this wonderful journey in front of you, look back on the many lessons you have learned at Northampton Area High School.”

Superintendent of Schools Joseph Kovalchik welcomed everyone to this 122nd annual commencement.

Of the graduates, 24 students graduated with honors, a distinction given to those graduating in the top 5% of their class. Advanced Placement Scholars are students who have demonstrated college-level achievement by taking AP courses and exams. NASD recognized Sophia Chen, Andrea Davidson, Amanda Deutsch, Dylan Fosko, Madelyn Hurst, Kaitlyn Oswald and Zayna Shadid as having deserved this recognition.

AP Scholars with Distinction are Owen Laury, Ryleigh Tillotson and Emily Wiland.

Laury is also a class officer, serving as treasurer, and has also been recognized on the National Technical Honor Society, the Vo Tech Award for the Academy for Applied Engineering, the David Olson Memorial Scholarship, the David Billheimer 1957 Scholarship, the Roland Wotring Scholarship and the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award.

Tillotson was awarded the Paul and Renae Smith Memorial Scholarship, the Dr. Pat Vulcano DECA Scholarship, the Renee Snyder Business and Professional Women Scholarship, the Roland Wotring Scholarship, the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award and the Georgia Institute of Tech Teresa Smith Scholarship.

Wiland received the Lehigh Elementary Staff Leadership Award, the Science National Honor Society, the Biology National Honor Society and the Roland Wotring Scholarship.

Sarah Mele, senior honors speaker, spoke of her experiences and challenges of high school. She encouraged her peers to “look to the future.”

Senior class officers President Nicole Yellen, Vice President Mia Dimmick, Secretary Sophie Steirer and Treasurer Owen Laury shared their personal reflections of their educational and life experiences so far.

Besides continuing to college or vocational-technical careers, 10 students have reportedly enlisted in various branches of the U.S. military and were recognized by Shafnisky.

Diplomas were presented by school board President James Chuss. Class officers were presented their diplomas by Shafnisky.

Kovalchik specifically recognized and honored the Class of 1973, as this is the 50th anniversary of their graduation from NAHS. Of these 50-year graduates, several had relatives graduating this year. They are Florence (Druckenmiller) Grim and niece Bethany Druckenmiller; Garry Hunsicker and great-nephew Nolan Yost; Barry Kocher and grandson Ethan Rehrig; David Lack and grandson Michael Wright; Chris Makovsky and granddaughter Hannah Makovsky; Maria (Pasquariello) Kutz and niece Melina Shehab; Cynthia (Schirer) Hantz and grandson Tyler Mack; Tina (Schramel) Werkheiser and granddaughter Hannah Makovsky; Marvin Smith and nephew James Kornhausl; and Kathleen (Volk) Deibert and great-nephew David Heintzelman.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, senior chorus members Azelia Dos-Santos and Annabel Pyne, accompanied by the NAHS band, sang the school’s alma mater.