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The Black Knights of Towanda High School’s Class of 2025 celebrated their commencement on Wednesday, June 4, with 105 graduates receiving their diplomas. The evening included remarks from student representatives on their faith, their futures, and the friends they made over the past four years. This coverage of the Towanda graduation is brought to you by Wyalusing Collision Repair Inc., Robinsons Timber Harvesting LLC, and Global Tungsten & Powders.

Towanda’s commencement ceremony was opened by the playing of The National Anthem by the high school band, followed by opening remarks made by The Rev. Jose Joseph Kuriappilly. Student Council President Nate West then kicked off the student speeches, noting with particular importance the guidance of God throughout the changes life brings.

“Nobody can run from change, but you can certainly guide it,” said West. “As time passed, I have come to see the importance of compromise and change and as time passed, I always had a sense of guidance, and that guidance is The Lord.”

Class Valedictorian Madelaine Alderfer reflected on how the expectations she and her classmates will be held to in the next phase of their lives will be different from that of their past four years in high school.

“But as you step into the world, the expectations of high school will fall away,” said Alderfer. “No longer will your academics be the same or your sports career, but you will get a fresh start for all your hopes and dreams. Tomorrow, you get to redefine where you belong, who you hang out with, and your expectations for who you want to become. High school may have brought you to this point and molded you into amazing young adults, but the next step defines how you will live in this world and how you can change it for the better. Set your expectations to become the best you can be and to help your communities be better for having you.”

Class President Anna Dunn recalled many of the scenes and experiences she remembers most from the past four years noting that, though some may fade in years to come, the important memories will last a lifetime.

“Now in 10 years, we may not remember the sound of the coffee cart rolling through the halls on an early Friday morning, or the burn in our legs from walking from the basement to the third floor, but we will remember the people we walked those halls with,” said Dunn. “The friends who got us through tough days and the laughter that we all shared; those are the memories that will stick with us long after we forget the uphill battle high school seemed to be.”

Following Dunn’s remarks the band performed a senior selection of “Fun, Fun, Fun” by The Beach Boys, followed by a speech from National Honor Society President Danica Vargason in which she expressed gratitude toward the entirety of the school’s faculty and staff.

“We wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the amazing teachers and Staff that never gave up on us,” said Vargason. “Thank you to our Guidance office, Mrs. Vaness, Mrs. Adams, and Mrs. Brown for always being there for us and helping us with any need we have. Thank you to the office ladies, Mrs. Lines, Mrs. Forbes, and Mrs. Kinner for the countless amount of things you do to keep our school running. Thank you, Mr. Ross and Mr. Maurer for stepping up this year and doing a phenomenal job as Principal and Dean of Students. Thank you, Cafeteria Staff, for never letting us go hungry. Thank you, maintenance staff, for providing us with a safe and clean space to learn. Thank you to all of the Coaches and Club advisors for your mentorship and giving us the opportunity to be a part of a team. Special shout out to Mr. Shrawder for always being up for a class discussion and congratulations again on the Yapper of the year award. Thank you, Mr. Rounds, for all your guidance in NHS and getting me through AP calculus. Shout out to Mr. Lezak for all your words of wisdom and teaching us the proper way to express joy. But truly, thank you to all the hard-working dedicated teachers for your continuous support, lessons, and mentorship that shaped us and got us here.”

Last but not least of the student speakers, Northern Tier Career Center representative Shaylynn Morris reflected on her time in the career center’s Diesel Mechanics Technology Program and noted how important the center is for graduates looking to directly enter the workforce.

“Our instructors did not just teach us how to fix things, they also taught us patience, responsibility, and to take pride in our work,” said Morris. “The Career Center is a place I enjoyed going to everyday and I feel as if it was for others also. I have achieved so much getting many certifications. This program will help me and all my classmates in the future going into a career like this.”

After a special performance by The Knight Singers and Destinirose Gardiner, as well as remarks made by Towanda High School Principal Nathaniel Ross and District Superintendent Erick Cummings, diplomas and awards were presented to the Towanda Class of 2025.

HPN News, GTP, Wyalusing Collision Repair, and Robinsons Timber Harvesting also extend heartfelt congratulations to all area graduates and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.

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