ALBRIGHT STUDIO/For the Sun-Gazette Elijah Hopton, student speaker for Williamsport Area High School’s 2026 commencement, gestures during his remarks.

Event programs doubled as fans as friends and families sat in the bleachers on an unusually warm June evening to watch the 155th annual commencement at the Williamsport Area High School this week.

Cars were still bringing people up the hill as the seniors began processing to the STA Stadium, which had rapidly begun filling up as soon as the gates opened an hour before the event began.

In his opening remarks to the 289 soon-to-be graduates, Dr. Richard J. Poole, assistant superintendent said, “When I first heard this year’s graduation theme-“Carpe Diem. Seize the Day. Make your lives extraordinary”–I have to admit, my first thought was that it sounded like a lot of pressure, because graduates, when you’re sitting where you are tonight, people make it seem like you’re supposed to leave here tomorrow and instantly do something extraordinary.” “When we hear the word extraordinary, we often think about famous athletes, musicians, celebrities, or people who seem larger than life. We think extraordinary lives are built in giant moments, but the truth is, most extraordinary lives are not built in giant moments. They are built in small ones. They are built by people who work hard, who are kind, you take chances, you get back up after failure, and who choose to do the right thing, even when nobody is watching,” Poole said.

“Tonight is about your accomplishments, and there are many, but it’s also about the journey that brought you here, because nobody becomes extraordinary alone tonight. Students, you will seize your own day and walk across this stage as individual graduates, but behind every graduate sitting here is a story filled with parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, friends, and family members who helped make this moment possible,” he added.

Poole acknowledged the benefits of public education as he spoke to students who had spent the last 13 years of their lives striving to reach this milestone in their lives. He pointed out that even though they had shared that journey, it had not led them all to the same path forward, with some of the students opting to continue their education, while others will enter the workforce or the military or maybe take more time to decide.

“At Williamsport, we have worked to prepare you not only academically, but for life, through meaningful relationships, diverse experiences, career and technical education opportunities, athletics, the arts, and service to your community. We have sought to help you discover your strengths and your passions,” he said.

“Just as importantly, we have celebrated the diversity of our student body, a diversity that is embraced, valued, and reflected in our district. The different races, backgrounds, cultures, experiences, perspectives, and stories represented in this class have made our school stronger and have better prepared you for the real world beyond these walls,” Poole said.

Student speakers, Elijah J. Hopton and Petrova V. Hinshaw, delivered remarks focusing on the quote the class had chosen-seize the day, with Hopton equating it with being present in the moment.

“How can you expect to “seize the day” if you aren’t present in it,” he asked.

“It is when you are truly present in moments and relationships that you can begin to notice opportunities around you…being present isn’t just about mindfulness or peace, it is about engagement,” Hopton said.

“As you walk across the stage, turn your tassel and toss your cap in the air, I ask one thing. Be present. Be present in the moment, in your feelings, in your joy, in your sadness. Be present as you cheer with your friends and jump with excitement. This is a moment that you have been working toward your whole life, so enjoy it and take it all in, you deserve it,” he added.

Hinshaw reflected on how the students in the Class of 2026 were given student numbers at the beginning of their high school career which all contained the number 26.

“I remember believing that the numbers were randomized each year. Now we know what it means to have the number 26 at the start of our emails. It means that this is it. This is where we part ways, at least most of us do. This is where we grab our backpack straps, lace our shoes tighter than we normally do, and go to college, the workforce, trade school, the military, or somewhere else extraordinary,”

If you feel a knot in your stomach as I’m saying this, don’t worry, because I do too. It is important to remember that no matter what path we take when we leave here, we will still achieve great things. Success is not something that you write on a piece of paper and it becomes tangible. It is a long process that can’t be rushed. Even though success creeps up on us slowly, it is not something that you can sit back for and wait to happen. You must take advantage of each day that you are given,” she said.

“No one in history has ever achieved greatness by waiting for it to fall into their laps. Therefore, Carpe Diem, seize the day, make your lives extraordinary,” she added.

Emma G. Vollman, senior class president, also spoke during the ceremony.

“As I stand in front of you today” Vollman said, “I am overwhelmed with a strange feeling because for the last 4 years we have been counting down to this moment.”

“Graduation was a conversation that seemed so far in the future, we never thought we’d make it. I can’t tell you how many times I heard through the hallways “I can’t wait to graduate” or “I wish I was just in college already”. Well it’s here. And now it’s actually over,” Vollman said.

Dr. Justin D. Ross, head principal at the high school, also announced William Ciabattari as valedictorian and Sadie Bower as salutatorian of the Class of 2026.