The theme for the 2026 Loyalsock Township High School graduates involved moments in the light, quick memories that will last for a lifetime – and the school’s commencement ceremony was full of them.

President of the Class of 2026, Jeremiah Johnson, explained to those gathered at the 65th commencement, held outside at Kenneth M. Robbins Stadium, what that theme meant.

“It is easy to coast through high school and receive a diploma but the true measure of success is the lasting impact you made on others,” Johnson said. “The 2025-2026 yearbook theme was moments in the light. This theme reminds us that every single one of us has our moment to shine, so when I hear the phrase moments in the light, I think of a spotlight moving across the stage shining on different people in different moments throughout a show and in many ways, that was the case for our senior year.”

He thanked the teachers and staff for helping the students grow and shaping them into the young adults they now are.

“To my classmates, congratulations to each and every one of you for reaching this milestone,” Johnson said. “I’m beyond thankful to have been your class president and through the ups and downs, the good and the bad, I would not want to graduate with anyone else.”

He introduced the student presentations, which touched on the past, present and future.

Adam Ghayyada focused on remembering the past that led them to that moment of graduation. He started out by explaining that while traditionally those speeches are inspirational, he wanted to make his speech funny and asked everyone to laugh at his jokes, even if they weren’t funny.

“Usually at these ceremonies, you’re told to look left or right, to take it all in, one last time,” Ghayyada said. “Yet tonight, I’m asking you to do something different. I’m asking you all to look back.”

All the way back to August 27, 2013, when the class of 2026 walked through the doors of Donald E. Schick Elementary School, unsure of what was to come. He led them through a series of memories through those times, including the ABC countdown and magic tricks.

“Back then, elementary school always seemed like it would last forever,” Ghayyada said.

Yet they eventually found themselves sitting under the stadium lighting at graduation, he said.

“What has never changed is the people we’ve shared that light with,” Ghayyada said. “And while tonight marks the end of one chapter, it also reminds us that wherever life takes us next, we will always share the moments of the light of these memories, these years and this class that grew up together.”

Alice Ecker continued the theme, talking about the present.

“I stand before you as someone you’ve never met before, a different person than I was yesterday,” Ecker said. “Today, like the rest of you, I am a senior only minutes away from graduating. Soon even that won’t be true.”

Whether her classmates started their time at Loyalsock Township High School at 14 years old or just nine months ago, they have all evolved, she said.

“We are a combination of peers, places, teachers and ideas, all of which have changed us slightly each day until we can look back on those four years and realize who and where we are now,” Ecker said. “Right now, four years ends in 40 minutes.”

While this moment was not unexpected, it has been anticipated. Their senior year held moments they all had been imagining for so long, she said.

She encouraged her classmates to follow the most sound advice she was even given, which is to be where your feet are.

“It seems simple, yet it’s somehow very difficult to fulfill,” Ecker said. “Moments in the light only glow for an instant before they live on in our memories. So before we jump ahead for whatever tomorrow holds, let’s just stay here a little longer, look around again, wave at the people you never got a chance to know, let your mom take that awkward picture, breathe it all in, be where your feet are because for the first and last time, for one last moment that will add a little light to our sky, we are here together as the graduating class of 2026.”

Finishing up the theme, Kathryn Clapper spoke about the future of the graduates and where their lives may take them. She encouraged her classmates to appreciate the ordinary days, the best days and even the worst days.

“Honor those moments in the light as they are not just memories, but a part of who we will become,” Clapper said. “Each one of us will continue to create our moments in the light, wherever we go.”

As they go their separate ways, for the first time, the class of 2026 will not be with each other for seven hours a day, five days a week, she said.

“We will be surrounded by new people, new opportunities, and basically a whole new atmosphere,” Clapper said. “While these new experiences may seem daunting at first, the friendships that we have made, the chances that we took, the moments we embrace today will continue to inspire our future.”

She said that at some point in the future, all of them will have someone who will need to be supported, whether it is a family member, friend or stranger.

“Take the opportunity to change their life and your own,” Clapper said. “Help others as you help yourself. Continue to make a change in the world and in your community.”

The commencement ceremony held all of the traditional moments normally found at graduation. The students processed in pairs as family members and friends cheered and took pictures. Students’ caps were decorated with bright colors, featuring what schools they would be attending and special quotes. But before the diplomas were bestowed, a familiar character arrived: Lancelot was announced and rode in on horseback to present the ceremonial first diploma.

Principal Stephen Hafele explained the idea, continuing the tradition of the ceremonial first diploma, came to organizers as they were looking through the 1963 Loyalsock Township yearbook and found the school emblem, which was just the letters “LT” and a lance.

“That discovery sparked a vision,” Hafele said. “We have spent the last several months restoring and reintroducing this historic scholarly crest and seal. Tonight we celebrate not only the accomplishments of the class of 2026, but also its rich traditions and history that connect generations of Lancers.”

Stephen Lloyd, WNEP-TV sports director, and Loyalsock Township graduate, gave the commencement address.

“Seniors, you made it,” Lloyd said. “Enjoy it. Smile. You should be proud of your Lancer accomplishments. This is the beginning of so many more special moments for you ahead in your journey, places that you will go and work and thrive and make so many more new, special memories.”