Lackawanna Trail High School holds 61st commencement

CLINTON TWP. — People fanned themselves with programs in the heat of the packed gymnasium Tuesday evening at the Lackawanna Trail Jr. Sr. High School. Despite the uncomfortable temperature and threat of rain that forced the school’s 61st commencement ceremony indoors, the atmosphere was that of excitement and celebration.

In her valedictorian address, Madison Lee, of Jermyn, spoke both of the past and future.

“I hope that we all remember where our journey began,” she said. “I hope that we never neglect to thank the people that helped us become the strong, confident individuals that we are today.”

In an emotional portion of the address, she thanked her own family members, through tears.

She also spoke of all the people she and her classmates have yet to meet in their lives, stressing the importance of treating them with kindness.

“My hope for us is that we choose to embrace them all,” she said. “Being kind and having tolerance for others is not always easy. …Sometimes the most challenging things are the things that are most worth it. In this case, I’m not talking about a difficult class or tough job. I’m talking simply about having compassion. Whether it comes naturally or requires a little extra effort, choosing to be kind is always worth the endeavor.”

A daughter of Janine and Bill Lee, she plans to attend Pennsylvania State University next fall to major in bio medical engineering.

Salutatorian Ashleigh Clarke, of Factoryville, delivered an address with a mix of humor and seriousness. She joked about procrastinating on homework and checking social media during class, reminisced about crying through her first days of kindergarten and closed with eight “wishes” for her classmates, one of which was to “smile, be kind, respect all people, all the time.”

“This is a tough one, I’ll admit,” she said of that wish. “Always remember that, no matter what crisis or problem you’re dealing with on any given day, someone is worse off than you. There is a popular book and TV show called ‘13 Reasons Why.’ …Without going into a lot of detail about this controversial show, it’s important to point out how our small actions can have unexpected or unwelcome consequences.

“So, I wish for you to smile and be kind, even when it’s hard. It might change or save someone’s life.”

A daughter of Christy and Robert Clark, she plans to attend Marywood University this fall to study medical laboratory science.

Madisyn Peoples, commended student, spoke about striving for perfection, a goal she said is unattainable but leads one to excellence.

“Most of my life was spent comparing myself to others who I thought were perfect, but it turns out everyone struggles with a need for perfection in his or her own way,” she said.

The Factoryville resident is a daughter of Cherie Peoples and plans to attend Philadelphia University in the fall to study bio chemistry.

Members of the Lackawanna Trail High School Class of 2017 are:

Travis Eric Ankoff, cum laude

Holden Scott Aylesworth

Lauren Ramsey Baldwin, cum laude

Tyler David Baltrusaitis

Kayla Barbara Becchetti

Matthew Ryan Bergey

Anthony Carmelo Berrios, cum laude

Kelly Abigail Bird

Cassandra Ruth Brown, cum laude

Ashleigh Morgan Clarke, cum laude

Natalie Ann Cocchini

Scott Kelly Cokely, Jr.

Connor Stanton Crock

Liam Charles Dana

RuthAnna Marie Danowski

Davi Austin Doblado

Colin Stephen Domnick, cum laude

Miah Vicenta Dugan, cum laude

Gregory Jones Ellsworth, cum laude

Alyssa Bryanna Fiehl

Tyler James Flynn

Jaclyn Anneliese Fusik

Grace Mary Gallagher, cum laude

Dylan Scott Ganser

Justin Keith Ganser

James Joseph Gillespie

Yekaterina Ann Grega

Avianna Elizabeth Guthrie

Nicole Laci Hagler

Noah King Hawthorne, cum laude

Evan Bruce Herron

Kayla Ann Holland

Colin William Holmes

Thomas Richard Huffsmith

Catherine Emily Huggler

Timothy John Husted, Jr.

Trina Autum Ingalls

Matthew Robert Kinback, cum laude

Sydney Taylor Kostick

Joseph Thomas Kubilus

Taylor Courtney Lauzon

Madison Christine Lee, cum laude

Rachel Anne Lehman

Isabella Leschingski

Matthew Allen Loch

John Arch Maier III

Kimberly Zeena Meckwood

Matthew George Merolla

Gina Marie Merritt

Cherokee Dawn Mitteer

Kyle William Morgan

Mikayla Mylyn Nelson

Zackaria Nathanial Nicholson

Ethan Philip Oswald, cum laude

Mikayla Rose Otto, cum laude

Nicholas Alan Pawlukovich

Troy Madison Pensak

Madisyn Haley Peoples, cum laude

Courtney Christine Petrilak

Darien William Petty

Daniella Maria Pisanti

Nicholas Anthony Price

Monica Valeria Reich

Hunter Charles Reynolds

Faith Nicole Rivenburg

Amber Lynn Roberts

Elizabeth Marie Rodenbach, cum laude

Rachael Paige Rosengrant, cum laude

Marcus Michael Ross

Jacob Daniel Sanders

Mackenzie Sarah Semken, cum laude

Sierra Lynn Sprowls

Allison Danielle Strauch, cum laude

Pandora Mae Symons

John Darwin Thomas, Jr. , cum laude

Fatima Thurston

Robert George Titus, cum laude

Brenden Scott Tobin

Ronnie James Traver

Emily Mary VanFleet, cum laude

Sabrina Lee vonAhrens

Sarah Lynn Weisenfluh, cum laude

Madison Lee pauses in an emotional moment during her valedictorian address at the Lackawanna Trail High School’s 61st commencement.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_ABJ-Trail-Grad-2.jpg.optimal.jpgMadison Lee pauses in an emotional moment during her valedictorian address at the Lackawanna Trail High School’s 61st commencement. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Madisyn Peoples, Commended Student, delivers a speech during the Lackawanna Trail commencement.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_ABJ-Trail-Grad-4.jpg.optimal.jpgMadisyn Peoples, Commended Student, delivers a speech during the Lackawanna Trail commencement. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Ashleigh Clarke gives the salutatorian address during the Lackawanna Trail commencement.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_ABJ-Trail-Grad-3.jpg.optimal.jpgAshleigh Clarke gives the salutatorian address during the Lackawanna Trail commencement. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Lackawanna Trail Class of 2017 President Sarah Weisenfluh presents the senior farewell speech during commencement ceremony June 13.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_ABJ-Trail-Grad-5.jpg.optimal.jpgLackawanna Trail Class of 2017 President Sarah Weisenfluh presents the senior farewell speech during commencement ceremony June 13. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Cassandra Brown, who graduated cum laude and is a member of the National Honor Society, received two department awards (art and English) during the Lackawanna Trail High School 61st commencement.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_ABJ-Trail-Grad-6.jpg.optimal.jpgCassandra Brown, who graduated cum laude and is a member of the National Honor Society, received two department awards (art and English) during the Lackawanna Trail High School 61st commencement. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Lackawanna Trail graduate Courtney Petrilak celebrates after accepting her diploma.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_ABJ-Trail-Grad-7.jpg.optimal.jpgLackawanna Trail graduate Courtney Petrilak celebrates after accepting her diploma. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

The Lackawanna Trail High School Class of 2017 celebrates with the traditional tossing of their caps in the air at the close of the commencement ceremony, held June 13 in the school gymnasium.

https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_ABJ-Trail-Grad-1.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Lackawanna Trail High School Class of 2017 celebrates with the traditional tossing of their caps in the air at the close of the commencement ceremony, held June 13 in the school gymnasium. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal