RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Members of the Muncy High School, Class of 2025, toss their caps into the air at the conclusion of the 145th Annual Commencement Ceremony.

“Enemies has seven letters, but so does friends.”

It was this word play that Addison Gresh, valedictorian of Muncy High School Class of 2025 used as she stood before her classmates, teachers, administration, school board and families on the Front Lawn of Muncy High School for the district’s 145th annual commencement Saturday evening.

The night brought out perfect weather conditions as the American flag unfurled fully in a slight breeze as the Star Spangled Banner was performed by the Senior High Chorus.

Gresh shared – “Hate has four letters but so does love; failure has seven letters but so does success … and cry has three letters but so does joy. You always have a choice.”

Gresh borrowed the refrain of poet Robert Frost and his “Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.”

She observed how the Class of 2025 is composed of aspiring writers, teachers, engineers, doctors, nurses, military officers, business owners and community leaders.

She encouraged her classmates no matter what passions – “chemistry, art or WWE, have the courage to choose a road based on them. Embrace the road fully and don’t be afraid to make the road uniquely yours.”

She added how the “road you choose may be bumpy or it may seem like a dead end but embrace the uncertainty. She noted that mistakes are inevitable.

“You are going to oversleep, take the wrong turn or date the wrong person,” she said adding, “view these mistakes as simple detours. We are young, we are human, we are going to make mistakes. It is important to learn from them and use them as your opportunity to grow.”

As you travel down your path, choose to navigate it with love, kindness and compassion. Never be ashamed to express yourself but most importantly never forget which road leads you back home.”

“Pride has five letters and so does Muncy.”

Like the song of Natasha Bedingfield “Unwritten,” Gabrielle Myers echoed the songstress’ words by saying “We have the power to make our own story and make our own mark on the word because “the rest is still unwritten.”

For his words of gratitude Cy Dixon ran through a list of appreciations to classmates for all the memories, faculty for leading the class through the years, staff, for keeping School orderly and keeping students fed, including with the pop corn chicken bowl and administration for keeping the school running smoothly and family’s parents and friends for being our biggest supporters.

He also thanked his father who said gratitude is giving thanks for what we know we couldn’t truly achieve without help.

Paxton Derr focused his thoughts on attitude specifically as it relates to optimism, dedication and hard work and how these traits lead to this moment at the conclusion of high school.

“I believe every graduate here today has the attitude to succeed in whatever endeavor lies ahead.”

Taylor Shannon centered her thoughts on latitude, pointing out the graduates faced the unprecedented challenges, navigating the twists and turns of a global pandemic, tense political climates and persistent mental health concerns and yet here we stand ready to embrace the world.

“We have learned that change is the only constant and our ability to adapt is our greatest strength.

“As we stand on the threshold of our future Let us take a moment to reflect on the life Long friendship we formed the lessons We’ve absorbed and the memories we’ve created.

While high school may be concluding, our stories are only just beginning.

As we prepare to venture on to our next expedition, let us aspire to keep exploring and adapting.

Whether our trajectory leads us to college, the military or the workforce or a path less traveled let’s approach each opportunity with the same energy and enthusiasm that propelled us in high school.”

The familiar processional of the graduates generated the moments when families recorded it with their cell phones. The processional – Brahams: Variation on a Theme by Haydn is always an emotional time where students exit the school, walk the sidewalk around the Front Lawn and then take their seats.