A-C Valley celebrates Class of 2023
RICHLAND TWP, CLARION COUNTY — It was all smiles and sunshine, with a few gusts of wind at Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School on Wednesday, May 24, as the Class of 2023 took center field and the 33 seniors received their diplomas.
“It’s surreal,” senior Lillian Whitling said. “It doesn’t feel real. I can’t believe it’s actually happening. “
The seniors marched onto the center of the football field as friends and family watched from bleachers.
“It’s just a wonderful group of young people,” superintendent David McDeavitt said. “They participate in all sorts of extracurricular activities. They are the nicest group of students you could ever work for.”
Aletha Farrington, class salutatorian and secretary, addressed her fellow classmates by stating a reoccurring sentiment of disbelief — they were “finally graduating.”
“Everyone told me that the time would go by fast, but who would believe them?” Aletha said. “Teenagers know everything right?”
Commencement speaker, Meghan Dreher, a pharmacist and an Allegheny-Clarion Valley alumna, offered plenty advice to the graduating class such as following their dreams, staying local and not paying too much for college.
“I remember when I was in school the big push from your friends, your counselors, your peers was to move away from little old Foxburg,” Drehere said. “So what I’m here to do today is to give you a good example as to why you should stay local and invest local.”
Dreher did advise students to “spreading your wings and visiting other areas to diversify yourself” in order to appreciate “what you have here.”
Class valedictorian Drew Whitcomb addressed fellow classmates by reflecting on the trials and successes that the student body endured during their time at A-C Valley.
“Some of our best moments have been here in this school,” Whitcomb said. “We played our sports, we danced at the dances, and we laughed a lot.”
The students who graduated met the requirements set forth by the state Department of Education and the A-C Valley school board. Students accumulated at least 24 credits, participated in the state assessment and completed a senior project.
“Students have been actively engaged in their own success by working with teachers who have taught subject matter that’s relevant and meaningful and will provide a basis for lifelong learning,” McDeavitt said.
As the graduates accepted their diplomas there were a lot of cheers along with a few tear.
“I’m just so proud,” said Candi Myers, mother of class president, Chloe Myers. “It is bittersweet, but I am just so proud.”
