RALPH WILSON/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Nahmir Thomas does a backflip on his way to receive his diploma during the St. John Neumann Regional Academy, Class 0f 2026, commencement exercises on Thursday, May 28 at the George S. Klump Academic Center.

Eleven young adults entered the stage as students and walked off the other side ready to take on the world as Saint John Neumann Regional Academy held its 56th annual commencement ceremony Thursday night.

“Seniors, the big day is finally here. It is normal to feel an overwhelming mix of emotions right now. Looking at you, my heart is full of pride for how far you have come and excitement for where you are going,” Principal Alisia McNamee told the assembled students, calling graduation “the destination of a long emotional journey shared by students, parents, and educators alike.”

“Whether you have been with us for your entire educational career or just a couple of years, you have all arrived at the finish line together,” she said.

While acknowledging the role families, teachers and coaches played along their path to graduation, McNamee urged the students to not forget the mark left behind by their own “God-given talents.”

McNamee then offered a simple piece of advice as the students begin navigating adulthood, “slow down.”

“Be present, be kind, and lift each other up. Don’t get so caught up in the pursuit of happiness that you forget to enjoy the present moment,” she said, while acknowledging that finding peace in the digital age will not be easy.

“Simplicity won’t just happen for you. You will have to seek it out and actively create it by choosing to unplug when you need to recharge,” McNamee said.

“Find the beauty in which God has surrounded us with breathtaking beauty in our mountains, valleys and rivers. Stop to feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Enjoy quiet reflection and embrace the comfort of fear of prayer. These moments are where you truly connect with God and yourself,” she said.

“Hold tight to the faith-filled friendships you have made here at Saint John Neumann, and continue to lift each other up when times get tough. Go forward with total confidence, carry the lessons of faith, kindness and community with you. Trust yourself, trust the Lord and always lean on the people who love you,” McNamee said.

Through a series of letters written in reflection of her personal experiences, Salutatorian Breanna Nixon offered advice to those still climbing the ranks of their education.

“This year of high school is significant,” Nixon told the incoming Freshman class.

“Right now, many of you might feel nervous or excited or maybe unsure what to expect, and that’s completely normal,” she said.

“My word for you, freshmen, is independence,” Nixon said, adding this is the year where not only does their academic performance begin to shape their future opportunities, but also when they will have to begin making decisions for themselves.

“My advice to you is simple: get up, get involved, work hard, enjoy all of the little moments, and most importantly, learn from your mistakes with love,” she said, referring to them as “teachable moments.”

To the sophomore class, Nixon advised that the last three chapters of high school will move by quicker than expected.

“Take a deep breath and enjoy it,” she said.

“Sophomore year is the year that you will continue to explore the depth of who you are and how your decisions will influence your future,” Nixon said.

“Not everyone has life after high school. Take this time to truly learn more about yourself and grow into the person you are becoming,” she encouraged the class.

“Discovery and pursuit are my words to you. Continue to try new things, and don’t let failure stop you,” Nixon said.

“Dear Rising Juniors, welcome to what we all know as the hardest, most overwhelming chapter of your high school career. This is when caffeine, confusion and the constant hearing, ‘this will prepare you for college,’ becomes a reality,” she said.

“There will be stressful nights, moments where you feel overwhelmed, and a point where your backpack starts to be more than you. But in the end, you will celebrate all of your accomplishments and learn from your mistakes,” Nixon said.

“My word for you is resilience. Be strong, even during difficult times,” she said before turning her attention to the next set of graduates.

“You have officially survived freshman confusion, sophomore chaos and junior stress. First rule: do not give up now,” Nixon said.

“Senior year is about you, so enjoy it. It’s the last first day of school, and the last time complaining about the school lunch, while eating it anyways,” she said.

“My word for you, seniors, is consistency. Because senior year isn’t about one big moment, it’s about all the little moments that led you here today. I challenge you to live in the moment, don’t give up, and apply for those scholarships,” Nixon said.

“To my fellow graduating seniors, we have made it. We all have become the young adults that our generation and our world needs,” she said.

“May all of you find the future that fits you best tonight. Take the time to appreciate your accomplishments. Celebrate as we close this chapter of our lives and reflect, with great confidence, in ourselves and tons of advice to others, knowing that we are prepared to draft the next pages of our future letter to ourselves,” Nixon said, “signing off” for the class of 2026.

“As students at a Catholic institution, we were taught the values of good character and positive judgment. Yet, when you look through the windows to the outside, we often see a world that doesn’t understand the importance of these values,” said Valedictorian Harrison Carnicom, explaining that Catholic education originated to prepare priests and missionaries traveling abroad.

“They were taught how to think, not necessarily what to think. Even today, St. John Neumann Regional Academy continues to practice this mindset by fostering creativity, diversity, and community,” he said, noting that such a mindset is declining.

“We are entering a world that is changing faster than it ever has before. Just think about how different life would be without the internet,” Carnicom said.

“That reality was a mere 30 years ago. In another 30 years, the world will look even more different in ways that we can’t imagine right now,” he added.

“Wherever our paths take us, I’m confident in saying that we are each well prepared for that unknown future. We all have the skills that we need to improve the world around us. Each of us have been given the education we need in order to live our best lives. Now it’s up to us,” Carnicom concluded.

Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools Charlene Haggerty first highlighted the sacrifices of the graduate’s loved ones that got them to the finish line.

“After years of early morning alarms, sports schedules, forgotten homework, group projects, college applications and mysteriously disappearing phone chargers, you have officially earned your diploma in parenting,” she said.

“Parents, you chose Catholic education because you wanted something more for your children, not only academic success, but faith, values, compassion, and a deeper relationship with Christ,” Haggerty said, offering praise to the instructors and staff of the school.

“Long after students forget tests and assignments, they remember the teachers who believed in them, encouraged them, prayed for them and helped guide them through difficult moments. The impact of a Catholic school teacher extends far beyond the classroom,” she said.

Turning her attention to the graduates, Haggerty encouraged them to trust in God’s plan.

“Wherever life takes you, never forget that your greatest identity is not found in a title or profession, but in being beloved sons and daughters of God. The world needs you to lead with faith, kindness, integrity and courage,” she said.

“Do not be afraid to stand up for what is right, care for others, and let your faith guide your future. Carry the values you learned here at Saint John Neumann wherever you go, and never be afraid to shine the light of Christ in the world,” Haggerty said.

In his keynote address to the graduates, The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton, echoing the words of Pope Leo XIV, called on them to consider the meaning of true happiness.

“Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are. Never settle for less. You will then see the light and hope of the gospel of Jesus growing every day in you and around you, providing you with true happiness,” he urged the students.

“Your time at St. John Neumann has planted this wisdom for life within your hearts. Don’t leave that wisdom behind as you depart this ceremony tonight. Take it with you, and take with you all of the incredible blessings that you have received,” Bambera told the graduates.

“Be grateful for all you’ve been given; grateful for the faculty and staff of this wonderful high school, for your pastors and parishes, and for your friends and family,” Bambera said.

“Be men and women for others, thinking beyond yourself to the needs of those who come into your life. Attend to your life’s work with integrity, grounded in your belief in God and a profound respect for every life,” he said.

“Forgive often, be accepting of others, and serve generously with no one excluded, as Jesus gives example,” Bambera said.

“Know that you do not journey from this place alone,” he said, speaking for all in attendance.

“Wherever you go, and however life unfolds, know that we walk with you, and we commend you always to the loving protection and presence of God,” Bambera concluded.