Knoch High School seniors focus on past, present, future at graduation
JEFFERSON TWP — On Thursday, May 30, Knoch High School saw its high school seniors receive their diplomas and turn their tassels toward the future.
After postponing the event due to inclement weather, the school celebrated its 66th commencement address with a full football stadium of proud families and a field full of eager seniors.
“I’m pretty excited,” said Avangeline Santora, class president. “It’s a nice day. It’s been a long time coming.”
Santora will attend Texas Christian University, where she will study engineering and run cross country and track and field.
Student Macrina Robb echoed Santora’s statement, saying she was also excited and that graduation had been a long time coming. Robb said her favorite memory was the soccer bus rides.
Amid the pomp and circumstance, several speakers reflected on the journey ahead of them. Senior Zachary Fuerst remarked how he and his classmates have not only learned that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell, but they have also learned about the value of resilience and community.
Paige Wilson thanked her parents, teachers and faculty members, and she told her fellow graduating seniors they do not have to be in a classroom to learn.
Wilson plans to attend the University of Rochester to study physics and astronomy. She said her favorite memory was going on an exchange trip to Germany and learning about other cultures.
Following her address were three speeches that focused on either the past, present or future.
Class vice president Lindsey Greb focused her talk on the past, connecting her speech to a quote from Ellis Grey from the television series “Grey’s Anatomy.” She emphasized the importance of being extraordinary and how past moments contribute to the future.
Similarly, Macrina’s speech focused on the quote “live in the moment” and how moments can become memories, and how those moments led to the present. She concluded her speech by telling her classmates to appreciate where they are in that moment.
Class treasurer Emily Greb equated leaving high school to driving; their journey has just begun, and they can choose the paths to travel, with all the speed bumps and red lights that come along the way.
Principal Todd Trofimuk’s speech recognized the teachers and told the story of how “Winnie the Pooh” came to be. Trofimuk used the story of the real-life bear, Winnie, and A.A. Milne’s stories about the toy bear Winnie interacting with his son, Christopher Robin, to demonstrate how things can come about from looking beyond the surface to find a deeper meaning.
Following the speeches, Santora and Greb presented a check to kindergartners Paige O’Donnell and Geno Pastoria, who represented the Class of 2036.
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The following link to a photo gallery contains dozens of extra photos taken by Butler Eagle photographer Morgan Phillips:
