Abington Heights graduates lauded, challenged during commencement ceremony
Staff Report
CLARKS GREEN — English teacher Marilyn Pryle, who served as the faculty speaker, recognized the many triumphs the graduates have achieved and also challenged them to treat others with compassion and respect during Abington Heights High School’s Commencement June 22 at Comets Stadium.
“You are a class of many achievements, great and small, in academics, sports, music, arts, and all kinds of extracurricular activities,” Pryle said. “You’ve won awards, titles, medals, chocolate bars, and your fame is widespread. The ancient Greeks had a word for this: Kleos. It means your glory, your fame and outstanding deeds.
“The Class of 2018 has a great deal of Kleos. Now, you have a responsibly to take your talents and gifts and do good with them in this world.”
Pryle specifically urged the students to embrace everyone who comes into their lives.
“This life is a series of human connections and I would suggest that who you are as a person is even more important than what you achieve,” she said. “My challenge to you is not to change your own beliefs, but create a space to show hospitality in your heart for others. When you are truly present to others and let them exist without felling judgment, fear, anger or superiority, then you practice true compassion. Be kind…even when it’s not easy.”
Graduate Paige Morgan, who introduced Pryle, believes the teacher has made a great impact on many of her students.
“She has built her classroom on a foundation of positivity,” Morgan said. “Her devotion and love for teaching has changed the lives of so many people to come through Abington, including myself. I would like to thank her for being one of the kindest, most well-rounded individuals I’ve ever met and for making me a better person through her positivity and happiness both inside and outside the classroom.”
Class historian Siena Rainey spoke highly of Class President and Salutatorian Mateen Kasim, who will study Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh’s Honors College.
“His intelligence transcends far beyond academics,” Rainey said. “His intellect is prevalent in every conversation and his remarkable empathy guides him in this quest. I believe I’m right in saying that Mateen has somehow made a positive impact on each student in the Class of 2018. His interpersonal intelligence travels seamlessly between social groups. He has the capacity to befriend any person and deeply understand each one of them.”
Valedictorian Katie Dammer, who will study Neurobiology and compete on the cross country and track & field teams at Georgetown University, shared some lessons she has learned through running with her fellow graduates.
“There is always someone better than you at everything,” Dammer said. “This should be refreshing, not scary. Be prepared, enter the race anyway and fear no one. You have intelligence and grit so never count yourself out, even when it seems others have.”
Abington Heights Superintendent Michael Mahon, Ph.D. recognized graduate Luke Gualtieri, who plans to enter the military.
“There is always an element of service to community and country that motivates our young men and women to the calling of military service,” Mahon said. “That calling to protect our nation continues to be fundamentally important in our dangerous world.”
Usher Jack Nealon, center, leads half the class as the graduates process into the stadium for the 2018 Abington Heights commencement ceremony June 22.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_AH1-2.jpg.optimal.jpgUsher Jack Nealon, center, leads half the class as the graduates process into the stadium for the 2018 Abington Heights commencement ceremony June 22. Tony Callaio | For Abington Journal
Trevor Gabura, left, and classmate Anthony Freda complete a special handshake after being introduced to the large audience at graduation.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_AH2-2.jpg.optimal.jpgTrevor Gabura, left, and classmate Anthony Freda complete a special handshake after being introduced to the large audience at graduation. Tony Callaio | For Abington Journal
Abington Heights 2018 class president and salutatorian Mateen Kasim had the opportunity to address graduation twice during the evening.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_AH3-2.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington Heights 2018 class president and salutatorian Mateen Kasim had the opportunity to address graduation twice during the evening. Tony Callaio | For Abington Journal
English teacher Marilyn Pryle was the featured speaker at the 2018 Abington Heights commencement ceremony.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_AH4-2.jpg.optimal.jpgEnglish teacher Marilyn Pryle was the featured speaker at the 2018 Abington Heights commencement ceremony. Tony Callaio | For Abington Journal
Abby Brown accepts her diploma from school board president Cathy Ann Hardaway.
https://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/web1_AH5-2.jpg.optimal.jpgAbby Brown accepts her diploma from school board president Cathy Ann Hardaway. Tony Callaio | For Abington Journal
By Robert Tomkavage
rtomkavage@timesleader.com
Abington Heights High School Class of 2018:
Reenad Abdullah Alqahtani
Saud Abdullah Alqahtani
Lacey Marie Ammenhauser
Dominic Charles Angelicola
Emma Catherine Baker
Cassidy Ann Bartkowski
Micah James Beahan
Kyra Elizabeth Beckish
Lauryn Elizabeth Beermann
Robert John Berkmann
Joseph Charles Beyrent
Alexander Junda Bi
Ian Vasil Bichler
Sandon Tyler Birch
Savannah Marion Blaum
Christopher John Bochon
Maria Rosalie Bordonaro
Alec William Bradican
Gavin Chyle Bradican
Matthew James Brouillard
Abby Frances Brown
Alayna Lin Ann Brown
Madelyn Elizabeth Brown
Arielle Lee Burdett
Julia Grace Burke
Kyle Patrick Burke
Ryan Joseph Burke
William Charles Carey
Lauren Ann Carroll
Tricia Rose Caucci
William Beck Chickillo
Timothy Linton Christman
Kyle John Chrysler
Katherine Clare Clark
Emily Elizabeth Clauss
Cyler Austin Cleary
Ross Alexander Cohen
José Juan Colõn, Jr.
Skylar Melina Conway
Christian Anthony Coronel
Ariel Kimberly Corrigan-Mills
Audrey Elizabeth Cottell
Joseph Robert Cottone
Cameron Leigh Craig
Sydney Maya Crum
Katherine Eileen Dammer
Jackson MacDonald Danzig
Adam Benjamin Deák
Frank Joseph DeFazio
Ashley Nicole DeRiso
Aidan Steven Demkowich
Mary Siobhan Dempsey
Alexander Earle Derry
Isabelle Brooke Dikeman
Cecilia Ann Donahoe
Mariah Ann Dougherty
Lauren Michelle Durante
Savannah Glenn Evanski
Kazimir Joseph Fantanarosa
Ashlynn Maraid Fitzgerald
Evan William Florey
Skyler Lee Fox
Matthew Scott Franchetti
Anthony Edward Freda
Trevor John Gabura
Kaitlyn Rose Gilhooley
Breanna Megan Gillow
Cianna Marie Giordano
Austin Jesse Glidewell
Noah Alexander Golosky
Sha’Lena Leona Gonzalez
Joshua Robert Green
Kaleigh Taylor Greenish
Bristol Susan Grenfell
Carly Ann Grizzanti
Nathan Paul Gronsky
Luke Michael Gualtieri
Gregory William Guditus
Zackary Lance Guinup
Victoria Sharrice Gullone
Margaret Patricia Hall
Isaiah Nikolás Hall-Grzybowski
Alexander Mitchell Hamilton
Joseph Anthony Harrington
Garrett Scott Harris
Gena Arlene Harris
Alexis Christine Hazlett
Amanda Kate Hazlett
Frederick Lee Hickman
Christian Le Hicks
Cohen Lucas Hodge
Chelsi Ann Malia Hoffmeier
Owen Robert Holland
Victoria Bryn Hood
Sharon Jane Houlihan
Arick Vincent Howells
Arjun Iyengar
Tyler Franklin James
Hayley Nicole Jewett
Ian Christopher Jewett
Mats Michael Jonsson
Aidan Patrick Jordan
William Joseph Jozefowicz
Jacob Curtiss Judson
Mateen Kasim
Julia Alicja Kasperkowicz
James Tyler Kazmierski
Brandon Christopher Kelleher
Thomas Aquinas Kerrigan
Nicholas Jack Kester
Alex Michael Klucher
Jamie Jacob Kneiss
Benjamin David Knox
Alexis Koczwara
Paris Rachel Koehler
Austin Matthew Kohut
Kyle David Kostiak
Hannah Kowalski
Robert Andrew Krance
Alyssa Marie Kresge
Schyler Madison Krieger
Dawn Nicole Kroptavich
Cassandra Leigh Ksiazek
Caylee Joy Kull
Devin Reese LaRue
Thomas James Lacey
Jonah Michel Lambert
Theodore Edward Lambert
Morgan Lynn Landers
Christopher Gerard Langan
Jack Alexander Leightcap
Nacole Pearl Leonhart
Tyler John Lesjack
Hannah Lauren Linker
Juan Francisco Loboda
Alexa Aurora Longcor
Rachel Anne Lorah
Kiera Lucash
Tara Elizabeth Lydon
Carolyn Teresa Lyon
Isabel Kathleen MacGregor
Samantha Elizabeth Machler
Cole David Maciak
Parker Ryan Maday
Emily Marie Mahoney
Joseph Henry Makowski
Emma Grace Marion
Christian Joseph Matsell
Kento Matsui
William Ray McDonald, Jr.
Jada Ausia McDuffie
Jasmine Jabreah McDuffie
Meghan McGinley
James Gerald McGurl III
Dylan Brett McHale
Molly Catherine McHale
Colin Patrick McIntyre
Bryan Francis Melliand
Alexis Lucia Mercado
Gabrielle Jane Michno
Eric Joseph Middleton
Antonia Veronica Milas
Clara Joy Miller
Mackenzie Marie Milo
Hector Emanuel Miranda-Santos
Haqique Mirza
Alexandria Moletsky
Abigail Elizabeth Molnar
Dylan Joseph Moran
Paige Elizabeth Morgan
Daniel Craig Muller
Grace Joan Murphy
Sarah Elizabeth Murray
Andrew Mark Myers
Sarah Christine Nealon
Liam Neary
Meghan Margaret Noone
Halle Elizabeth O’Neil
Brendan David Orlando
Nadia Alexis Orr
Chase McCreary Overholser
Pariseema Samir Pancholy
Mia Quinta Paris
Parth Pankaj Patel
Brian Peters
Luke Robert Petty
Samantha Lynn Petty
Bianca Marissa Pineiro
Seth Daniel Pollock
Matthew Dominick Post
Siena Rainey
John Robert Rama
Claire Helen Reed
Samuel Jack Remus
Kailynne Patricia Riker
Ryan Douglas Roberts
Emily Elizabeth Royce
Carina Danielle Salerno
Sage Nicholas Santarsiero
Christian James Schimelfenig
Tucker Michael Schimelfenig
Perri Leigh Scott
Phoebe Marie Sebring
Kelly Brinn Seechock
Johnathon Joseph Shaffer
Matthan Gregory Sherman
Jonathan Patrick Sileo
Lauren Elizabeth Simakaski
Mia Rosalie Smith
Schuyler Elizabeth Smith
April Marie Sokalsky
Naudia Mary Solan
Jordan Dune Spatt
Nichole Anne Spencer
Alexandra Marie Stanton
Kaila Rachael Steenback
Samuel Connor Stevens
Summer Michelle Stevens
Dakota Kevin Stiles
Katelyn Grace Stoppe
Caitlin Elizabeth Stoughton
Talia Rose Sullum
Marissa Catherine Sunick
Maria Rose Sutton
Alana Naveena Yasmine Swartz
David Allan Terhune
Nickolas Shaw Termini
Maria Grace Terrinoni
Courtney Marie Toroni
Adam Parker Traweek
Daniel Christopher Turshon
Daniel Joseph Uhranowsky
David Lee Urda
Vincent Anthony Vaccaro
Anna Camille Van Wert
Anshul Verma
Cameron Joseph Vishnesky
Brianna Jo Wahlers
Kimberly Ann Ward
Alexander Joel Waskovich
Benjamin Robert Weis
Hannah Elizabeth White
Jeffrey Connor White
Samantha Elizabeth Wilkerson
Ariana Elizabeth Wisenburn
Elizabeth Patricia Wright
Khira Lane Wudarski
Jonathan Ross Yocum
Alexandra Mary Zolin
Reach Robert Tomkavage at 570-704-3941 or on Twitter @rtomkavage.