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Muncy commencement brings ‘new beginnings’

MUNCY -- The 142nd annual commencement of the Muncy High School was a picture postcard Friday on the front lawn.

The 6 p.m. ceremony was held beneath a spectacular early evening sky, as a cool front arrived.

Graduates wore traditional white and blue colors as the proud Muncy Indians -- some headed to college, the military, or the workplace -- exited the historic stone junior-senior high school building, entering from both sides, walking slowly by on the sidewalk, much of it lined by shade trees as students, families and faculty. The latter who also arrived in similar fashion, sat down and observed the formal procession.

Following a processional from Brahms, “Variation on a Theme by Haydn” and the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” by the senior chorus members, Timothy W. Welliver, junior-senior high school principal, offered his perspective of a blessed night outside telling the guests to "enjoy the view, cherish the moment -- because it doesn't get much better than this."

The top five graduates in academic rank in ascending order in the program presented short speeches, each with thematic overtones, as keynote addresses.

One of those young women, Caitlin Renson went first and introduced Hallie McClure, "Gratitude;" Nicolette Johnson, "Attitude;" Emma Gaul, salutatorian, "Latitude," and Willow Perakovich, valedictorian, who was given the honor of interpreting the Class of 2022 quote by Thomas Jefferson.

That quote said, "If you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done."

Perakovich, an avid book reader, used a literary interpretation telling her classmates what she believed Jefferson's statement meant and how it applied to them.

Essentially, she said, "If we want to accomplish new things…we need to revise, change our direction, our setting or just change our point of view."

And she noted, as do many graduates, that the future is a blank page.

"There is no map or index to look for answers," she said.

"Our future will begin after we all gained the one thing we've never had -- a diploma," she said.

"Our future is unknown and we continue to write it each day of our lives."

The class quote, Perakovich said, exemplifies what the future is -- "an unplanned, unplotted storm that we are just now beginning."

Yet, she said, "everyone helps write it," and “just like every writer takes advice from their editor and publisher, we take advice from our contributors and we use it to write our stories."

Gratitude to special teachers and parents was on McClure's mind.

"Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works, and glorify your father which is in heaven," McClure said, quoting Matthew 5:16.

"Throughout our years, the teachers and staff in the Muncy School District have used their light in order to shape us all into the young adults we are today," she said.

"Our teachers have not only acted as our educators but also as if they were members of our own families, meaning sometimes there were decisions but, because they care, and want what is best for us," she said.

"Most importantly, we could not have made it through the past 13 years if not for the guidance and loving support of our actual families, because of their continual encouragement," she said.

In a snippet on attitude, Johnson said, "Your attitude is built from your perception of the world around you, the people in your life and the things you decide to do."

Gaul, covered the subject of latitude -- a short speech reflecting in a deeply personal way, on where the classmates have been and where they were going.

She also thanked the many teachers along the way to reach this moment.

"Tonight is a night of celebrations, of new beginnings and of remembering the past," Gaul said.

"Some of us are going to college, some of us are going to the military and some of us are going to the workforce," she said, adding an uplifting message for her classmates.

"You're all fine," Gaul said. "You're all kind. You're all talented, funny and clever people. I have no doubt that whatever path you truly choose you'll be alright."

Diplomas were bestowed by Welliver, Superintendent Dr. Craig Skaluba, Scott Johnson, school board president, and Erik Berthold, guidance counselor.

Welliver congratulated the graduates and Skaluba presented them to the guests.

He reminded them of three moments he will remember including when, in their gowns and caps and with smiles on their faces, they went through Ward L. Myers Elementary School for one last time, surrounded by all of the staff, faculty and administration who were clapping and cheering in honor of all of "your accomplishments."

And of numerous signs made by all of the elementary students expressing "how everyone is feeling here this evening -- we are proud."

And interviews with this year's alumni…that allowed sharing of memories, their favorite teachers and their chosen career paths.

Such interaction allowed alumni to provide graduates with words of wisdom.

Alumni also serenaded graduates with words of the school song written by George Palmer.

Awards ceremonies, a baccalaureate service and class videos highlighted the community the graduates developed together as a class and showed the impact of the Muncy community "on your memories, experiences and endeavors as well as the next step you plan to take in your journey," Skaluba said.

Skaluba said the recessional "Home" by Phillip Phillips held meaning for the graduates.

"Believe in yourselves, as your families believe in you," he said. "Be persistent and passionate in the pursuit of your dreams."