Lackawanna Trail senior Kayla Marr, of Factoryville, gets ready for the school’s car parade.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Lackawanna Trail senior Cassandra Rivenburg drives her car in the parade.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Lackawanna Trail graduate Mason Zajac, who is the class president and president of the concert band, leads the band to play “The Star Spangled Banner.”
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Commended student Maria Wetzel gives her speech at the graduation.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Lackawanna Trail grad Nathan Wescott receives his diploma from his mother Tracy Wescott, who is the school director of Lackawanna Trail.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
Lackawanna Trail grad Megan Gatto, center, with her mother Kristen, left, and grandmother, Nancy McLain.
Ben Freda | For Abington Journal
FACTORYVILLE — Another school year came to an end for Lackawanna Trail Junior-Senior High School. Before graduation day, the seniors drove around town in their decorated vehicles for the school’s annual car parade, which was on Thursday, May 26.
Cassandra Rivenburg designer her car based on the Pennsylvania Music Education Association (PMEA), in which she was in district and regional chorus. She will attend Acadia Univeristy, where she will major in administrative education.
“I’m excited to leave yet sad to leave,” she said. “Just a lot of memories.”
Senior Kayla Marr waved to residents from the sunroof of her mother’s car, in which she wrote ‘Honk for the future’. She enjoyed her years as a Trail student.
“I enjoyed the education,” she said. “I love Lackawanna Trail, and I’m excited for graduation.”
Graduate Megan Gatto enjoyed spending time with friends while attending Lackawanna Trail.
“I was very welcomed,” she said. “I loved spending time with my friends.”
Gatto plans to attend Penn State Worthington, where she will play basketball and study mechanical engineering.
The graduation was initially scheduled for Friday, May 27, but was postponed due to inclement weather. It was rescheduled on a more pleasant Sunday, May 29.
Lackawanna Trail graduate Mason Zajac, president of the Class of 2022 and the concert band, led the concert band to playing the national anthem. During his years at Trail, Zajac earned PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) for wrestling.
“The athletics were definitely my favorite part whether it’s like competing myself or watching my fellow classmates and friends compete.”
Zajac was also a member of the Lackawanna & Wyoming Environthon, in which he competed against other schools about disciplines with the environment. He will attend the Catholic University of America where he will major in nursing.
Trail superintendent Matthew Rakauskas acknowledged the fact that the Lackawanna Trail alumni are resilient and have risen above when things haven’t gone well locally or nationally. He expressed confidence that the Class of 2022 will follow suit.
“They (graduates) have excelled academically, athletically, musically, extracurricularly, socially, and despite all of the obstacles along the way,” he said.
Commended student Maria Wetzel in her speech said that while she was sometimes referred to as her siblings, she created her own voice in the Trail community and realized the responsibility that comes with it.
“Words have the power to spark a movement,” she said. “The ability to change the world. If our words have the power to affect large-scale changes, imagine how much our words can impact a single person.”
She credited her family’s words of support for having confidence to perform on stage. She also credited her teachers’ words of encouragement for her future ability to handle college classes. She acknowledged her friends’ forgiveness to learn from her mistakes and move forward.
“When we use our voices to spread positivity, we make our community a healthy place,” she concluded. “Simple words of appreciation or encouragement make a big difference.”
Jill Wetzel, Maria’s mother, is proud of her daughter’s accomplishments at Trail.
“Lackawanna Trail is a great place for people who put the work in,” she said.
Maria will attend her parents’ alma mater Muhlenberg College. She will major in psychology and minor in dance.
