What does it mean to have a Pequea Valley state of mind?

Speaking at Pequea Valley (PV) Secondary's graduation ceremony on May 29 at Calvary Church in Manheim Township, district superintendent Erik Orndorff likened the school's graduating class to the meaning of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind."

"The song celebrated possibility," he said during his remarks. "It reminded people that no matter how hard things get, there is still greatness in the air, and if you believe, anything is possible. That's the New York state of mind."

The superintendent said he was inspired listening to PV senior Cameron Frank perform the song at the music department's awards banquet earlier in May. Orndorff invited Frank, fitted in her cap and gown, to perform a portion of the song in front of the crowd at the ceremony.

Orndorff commended PV's graduating class for its victories in overcoming adversity, from surviving the COVID-19 pandemic in sixth grade to moving schools before their final year of high school. He addressed the crowd of graduates as "winners" and instructed them to keep going on the "treadmill of life."

"That spirit is the Pequea Valley state of mind, and I want you to bring it with you tonight," Orndorff said. "You leave here as graduates, but you will always be a part of this school and community, no matter where life takes you."

Katherine Gumpher was honored as class valedictorian with a final 4.33 GPA. Donald Feister was named as salutatorian.

Also, before Pequea Valley's 118 graduating seniors walked across the stage, class president Shelyce Burke, Cassidy Hanna and Josie Gielenz delivered remarks.

Burke spoke of the class of 2026's ability to overcome the unpredictable, noting that her graduating class is the first from Pequea Valley Secondary, which was completed prior to the 2025-26 school year.

She likened this ability to how the class started the year, with a senior sunrise prior to the first day of school in August.

"Sunsets are not endings, or at least not in the way many people think," she said. "They don't completely diminish light - they move it, allowing that to be space for something new ... Our class being the first to graduate from this building shows this something new."

Burke; Karli Stoltzfus, vice president; Addy Pacella, secretary; and Bella Biddle, treasurer, served as class officers.

"We are the first to fill and shape the countless classes after us with different stories," Burke added. "They will walk the same halls, share the same seats and create memories in the ways that we have. We are not just graduating from Pequea Valley; we are redefining it as we leave here today."

PV Secondary principal John Trovato also took the stage just prior to graduates walking the stage to share the many accomplishments of the class, athletically to musically and beyond. He shared that 32% of the class will attend a four-year postsecondary institution, with the most popular being Millersville, West Chester, St. Joseph's and Lebanon Valley.

He said that he will remember the class of 2026's kindness above anything else.

"You, as a class, overwhelmingly, are nice," Trovato said. "While much of the world descends into their own bubble, walking through life glued to their phones, walled in an ear-budded echo chamber, many of you have continued to demonstrate a thoughtfulness for others that is truly memorable."