TRR photo by Tom Kane Ryan Soden, on left, and Fred Schneider at last weekend’s graduation ceremony at Honesdale High School. (Click for larger image)

Honesdale High graduates 204

By TOM KANE

HONESDALE — Ryan Soden and Fred Schneider are going their separate ways after 13 years of being classmates in the same schools. They attended Kindergarten to sixth at the Preston Elementary, seventh and eighth in the Preston Middle School and finally ninth through 12th in Honesdale High School.

“We did it all together,” Soden said.

“Yeah!” said Schneider.

High school graduation will take them down separate roads. They’re ready for it but apprehensive, echoing the sentiments of many of their classmates. “This is what graduation is all about,” Soden said.

Soden is attending Kings College in Wilkes Barre for general studies. Schneider is going to Penn State for engineering.

There were many other long-standing friends in the large class who were facing the same commencement. One student, Amy Olsen, achieved the almost impossible feat of “perfect attendance over 12 years”—not missing one day in her entire school career.

The audience gasped in unison before applauding when her accomplishment was announced and she came forward to receive her award.

Instead of speeches by the valedictorian and salutatorian, the audience was addressed by five young scholars who had achieved distinction and high honors at the school. The speakers were Emily Celeskey, the student with the highest grade point average, and Timothy Granquist, Dhyana Miller, Jay Patel and Eric Tallman.

“Commencement isn’t an end, but a beginning,” said Honesdale school superintendent Paul Edwards to the graduates and their families and friends at the ceremony, held on the evening of June 14.