Caps off

Graduation closes a chapter in students’ lives

By VICTORIA HOFFMANN
Posted 6/29/22

MILFORD, PA — A line stretched around many of the buildings at Delaware Valley High School (DVHS) on June 17. Parents, teachers and friends started lining up to watch a monumental milestone in …

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Caps off

Graduation closes a chapter in students’ lives

Posted

MILFORD, PA — A line stretched around many of the buildings at Delaware Valley High School (DVHS) on June 17. Parents, teachers and friends started lining up to watch a monumental milestone in their students’ lives.

The gates opened at 5:30 p.m. for visitors, and the long hour-and-a-half wait ceased once the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance” march started to play throughout the stadium.

A sea of black and white gowns formed into two lines on either side of the field. Soon, one by one, students walked to their seats as they waved and smiled at their families and friends in the bleachers.

There was a feeling of accomplishment in the stadium. The class of 2022 entered it as students and, after moving their tassels to the left, exited as graduates.

After saying the Pledge of Allegiance, graduate Jade Cook sang the national anthem to kick off the ceremony.

Next, principal Dr. Nicole Cosentino gave a speech that acknowledged the vast list of accomplishments the class of 2022 had achieved. From helping their high school earn a place on the U.S. News and World Report Best High Schools in America list, to having 132 Advanced Placement scholars, to even having their student-ran publication, the Del.Aware, named Best Overall Publication at the Tom Bigler Awards— the class of 2022 did well.

“As you can see, the class of 2022 committed themselves to success in the classroom, on the field and in our local community as they persevered to reach excellence,” said Cosentino in her speech.

The graduation was attended by staff and teachers who not only aided in the event’s organization but also played a part in the students’ lives as mentors and educators, and gave a helping hand.

“The saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ is so applicable to the final graduation ceremony, as so many awesome members of our DV community come together for our final celebration of our students.  The students were fantastic throughout the ceremony, and it was such a tribute to their time with us at DVHS,” said Cosentino in an interview.

Following Cosentino’s speech were three additional speeches by student council president Viktoria Sioreti, salutatorian Ajay Byadgi and valedictorian Isaak Courtright. All of their speeches honored the class of 2022 as they documented its journey of perseverance and determination throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the graduating class were only in their sophomore year when they were thrown into a mix of virtual and in-person learning. However, during their senior year, they could experience their school year normally as restrictions eased.

This graduation ceremony was unique in its own way, as it was the first typical graduation since 2019 at DV. Unlike the graduation ceremony for 2020, with block timing for graduates, and the COVID-19 restrictions for 2021, 2022’s ceremony had no limits and a packed crowd.

“I’m glad this year we had a normal graduation. It made a feeling of normalcy in the chaotic year we’ve had. I’m thankful that we got to experience a normal end to our crazy high school experience,” said graduate Leah Phillips.

Between the absence of restrictions and the staff and administration at Delaware Valley, the ceremony provided closure for the students who graduated.

“I’m so happy the senior class could have a normal graduation after such a long hiatus. The custodial staff and graduation advisors did such an amazing job organizing,” said graduate Liz Kameen. “It was so fulfilling to see the same administrators and teachers that helped us as kids, standing on the same field as we graduated.”

The pictures were provided by Leslie Lordi and the award-winning staff of the high school’s student-ran publication, the Del.Aware.

To see the publication, visit https://dvhsnews.org/.

Delaware Valley High School, Pledge of Allegiance

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