First Posted: 6/13/2014
They began the day as students. They finished as alumni.
Charley Trippi Stadium was site of Pittston Area’s 48th annual commencement Friday evening. And although the rain did in fact show up, there were no dark clouds on the faces of the 273 members of the PA Class of 2014.
Principal John Haas and faculty had the tough task of deciding to hold the graduation indoors or outdoors. But in the end, it was up to the kids.
“They said they were having it outside no matter what,” Haas said.
Class President Rosemary Ritsick opened her remarks by reminding fellow graduates that anything is possible when you put your mind to it, especially a graduation in inclement weather.
“For a group like this to say the possibilities are endless is an understatement,” she said. “Take a chance and make it big. Say hello to a stranger. Whatever any of us pursue it will be nothing short of phenomenal. Leave your fingerprint.”
The crowd, which filled up the home stands at Trippi, was treated to the class song by Kallie Miller and guitarist, fellow graduate Samuel Carlen. The class song is “You’re Gonna Miss This.”
Pittston Area had 10 valedictorians in the Class of 2014. They are: Robert Costello, Anthony D’Eliseo, Megan Dougherty, James Emmett, Emily Herron, Steven Lee, Kallie Miller, Charles Poli, Michael Schwab and Rachel Simansky.
Each valedictorian took his or her chance to address the student body, and to give them a little advice along the way.
D’Eliseo spoke about responsibility. He reminded his fellow classmates about their own actions, and how they should treat others.
“Responsibly is not just an obligation or a tool,” he said. “It is the ability to act independently and be accredited to your own decisions. We must learn to take responsibly of our own actions. Throughout our lives we are put through a series of tests. High school is the first real responsibility.”
But they made it, and now they are on to the next test — an adventure as Daugherty put it.
“No matter where this road leads us, life is an adventure,” she said. “One that we are tasked at creating. Each of us will take a different path but they all start here. Your life will be great if you choose to make it so.”
Athletics was a big part of this year’s Pittston Area class. The Patriots were coming off a District 2 title in girls track and field, along with a state playoff run in basketball.
Track member Poli reminded his fellow classmates to not forget what they have inside the walls at the school in Yatesville, and never leave those memories behind.
“We all leave here today with goals of the future,” he said. “We ourselves sat inside of this school. We were inspired to be the greatest persons we you can be. I’m sure we can all go on about our own goals. But let’s take the time to focus on the inspiration inside the walls at our school.”
Basketball forward James Emmett wasn’t about to forget his team’s success this winter. The Patriots made it to the District 2 final, and then the state playoffs. The ride was memorable, he said. But what he remembers most was the student body at the games.
Assistant Principal Chris Lazevnick got through about 200 diplomas before the rain came. And it may go down as one of the greatest graduations ever. The kids didn’t mind the rain or a damp diploma. It was their time. And they loved it.
Doused with rain and wind, smiles were pretty easy to come by. And with the rain in a torrential state at this point, Lazevnick and Haas turned the program over to Samantha Kachinsky for the benediction, then the Alma Mater, led by Brittany Hypolite.
Thunder was rolling, and hats were in the air. The 2013-14 school year was in the books. And Pittston Area can now celebrate the Class of 2014.
