Knoch commencement plays out under sunny evening skies
JEFFERSON TWP — The last class to graduate from the South Butler County School District on Friday evening were also the last to celebrate commencement on the grass football field.
Next year's Knoch High School Class of 2023 will graduate from the newly named Knoch School District on the new synthetic turf that will be installed in the stadium this summer.
The 197 seniors who flipped their tassels from right to left on Friday night chatted animatedly in the high school hallways before proceeding into the stadium.
“I'm very excited,” said Dylan Jackson. “A little nervous, but optimistic. The future is looking good.”
Dylan, who will study golf management at Coastal Carolina University in the fall, named Knoch High English teacher Bethany Hanner as an instructor he will never forget.
“She's open-minded, patient and all the other qualities you want in a teacher,” Hanner said.
Riley Rohland also expressed excitement as she chatted with her friends before the ceremony.
“I'm ready for the world,” Rohland said.
She named high school history teacher Brad Pflugh as her favorite faculty member.
“He has always supported me and he's helped me through some tough times,” Rohland said.
After graduation, she will attend Edinboro University to pursue a degree in nursing.
Connor Squartino was champing at the bit to start his adult life and enroll in classes at Butler County Community College.
“I feel absolutely amazing,” Squartino said. “I'm ready to tackle some real world problems.”
He named Shaun Rumbaugh as a teacher who impacted him because he is different from other teachers.
“I learned the most I've ever learned in his class,” Squartino said.
Morgan Pender also expressed a desire to treasurer her memories, but get on with her life.
“I'm just excited to see what life holds outside of Knoch High School,” Pender said.
She said German teacher Emily Cramer impacted her the most at Knoch High.
“I have the strongest connection with her,” Pender said. “I could always go to her room and talk to her.”
At the ceremony, three special graduates were chosen to reflect on the past, present and future.
Aaron Butler discussed his fascination with dinosaurs leading to him being left in the prehistoric exhibit at Carnegie Science Center during a first-grade field trip.
Aaron equated the experience to attending college in New York with no major or career in mind.
On both occasions, he has not been fearful.
“I've never been more excited to be lost on a journey in my life,” he said.
Brooke Lassinger, 2022 senior class president, counseled her fellow graduates to embrace the moment as they spend their last moments with their classmates.
“The present is the only time we hold in our grasp,” Lassinger said. “Love your last moments of high school graduation. Hug your parents. Thank your teachers.”
Elyse Chess told those in attendance that the average person walks 65,000 miles in the course of a lifetime.
She reflected on the steps she and her classmates have taken to the bus, classroom, sports, concerts and other events in their school careers.
“Now, finally, we will walk across this stage,” Chess said.
She said the graduates still have much walking to do in their lives.
“Unlike the past, we will not walk these coming miles together,” Chess said.
She left her classmates with sage advice.
“Each of us will take with us the incredible gift of the education we've received here,” Chess said. “Let us use that gift for good.”
