Middletown Area High School (MAHS) held a commencement ceremony for its Class of 2022 on June 7 at 6 p.m. Following the ceremony, MAHS officially had 135 new alumni.

During the ceremony, students heard from superintendent Chelton Hunter, principal Christopher Sattele, and Patrick Gallagher, MAHS Class of 2002, who works in the Office of University Advancement at Villanova University.

Students were also addressed by three of their own. Salutatorian Lucia Caretti gave the student welcome, recognizing that she and her classmates possess the trait of resilience. "We are such a diverse group of people with differing interests and life paths. It may seem as if there is no individual quality to represent our class as a whole," she admitted, adding, "However, that is untrue. Though our paths may be headed in different directions, one quality that we all collectively share is resilience. We faced many unforeseen obstacles within our high school careers together, and yet we were all able to adapt and persist."

Class president Mason Swartz led into the turning of the tassels with his speech. "It's been an honor and a privilege to witness how we've all grown individually and as a class," he stated. "While this ceremony marks the end of our time together, this also marks the beginning of a whole new adventure. ... However, regardless of where our journeys take us, we will always be able to trace back to this special moment we have shared together. We will forever share these memories, we will forever connect our experiences at MAHS, and we will forever be united as Middletown Blue Raiders."

Valedictorian Sara Dintiman gave the student farewell. "Finally, we've crossed the finish line!" she exclaimed. "Not a single one of us here has accomplished this alone. We are a collection of the ones who love us, the coaches who have pushed us, the teachers who have helped us, and the young girl or boy in each of us."

"As I was writing this speech, I tried to look for outside inspiration - someone who we could all look up to as we take this next step in our lives," she continued. "But I see inspiration among us. I see a group of students who have faced obstacles and difficulties and persevered despite them. ... In this next chapter of your lives, whenever you feel unworthy or doubt yourself, know that you have already accomplished amazing things and that you have the power to do something great."

The new alumni and the audience concluded the ceremony by singing the alma mater, which concludes with the following: "Songs of gladness, hope inspiring / Do within these walls resound / So for thee we'll swell the chorus / Hail to Middletown!"

To view the commencement ceremony, search for "MAHS Graduation 2022" on YouTube.

Facts:

Class officers: Mason Swartz, president; Vincent Corradi, vice president; Emma Mitchell, secretary; Skylar Garza, treasurer

Class colors: blue and gold

Class song: "22" by Taylor Swift

Class flower: bluebells

Class adviser: Jose Ortiz

Class counselor: Cheryl Friedman

Class motto: "Not the end, but just the beginnng."