By SAVANNAH BARR

savannah.m.barr@gmail.com

Bradford Area High School students, faculty and loved ones gathered Thursday evening to celebrate the accomplishments and hard work of the Owls’ Class of 2025. It was the 145th commencement ceremony held at the 100-year-old school.

“A lot has changed in the world since the first graduating class of 1880 but we continue to gather together each spring to celebrate this time honored ceremony that marks a huge milestone in the lives of these young people,” said Principal David

Ray. One hundred and fifty- one students graduated during the ceremony. The room was packed with families and friends who were eager to share in their accomplishments.

Isabella Prince, daughter of Ed Prince and Andrea Prince, welcomed the class.

“I want to thank everyone who has helped and encouraged us throughout this entire journey,” said Prince. “From the administrators who planned this beautiful ceremony to the teachers who showed up each and every day, demonstrating selflessness in their unfaltering efforts to get us to this commencement ceremony.”

Prince reflected on the passage of time and the gravity of turning the page to a new chapter.

“This is the start of a new beginning,” Prince said. “This is the day we have been counting down to since freshman year.”

The class of 2025 has many unique aspects and strengths, according to Prince. One of which is a certain streak of individuality and a desire to march to the beat of its own drum. What could be seen as a negative trait is actually something positive, Prince said.

“This is the messy, beautiful and sometimes misunderstood spark that makes us who we are,” Prince said.

Their class has had to overcome many obstacles, including a global pandemic that interrupted their normal schooling.

And yet, they were able to overcome it all with strength, resilience and grace.

“Our class is filled with change makers in a world that is so flawed; we are destined to be the change that is needed,” said Prince. “Try to focus your energy on future endeavors and chances for growth and you will flourish through your individual talents and personal experiences.”

She left her class with a bit of advice as they take this next step forward.

“Follow whatever direction your life takes you and do not be afraid to take risks to achieve your goals,” Prince said.

Isabella Ramos delivered the class address. She is the daughter of Silvia and William Kline. She encouraged her class to carry with them the lessons they have learned throughout their years at BAHS.

“I believe that you should use these last four years, whether they were tumultuous, uneventful or incredible, to help shape the trajectory of your life,” said Ramos. “Regardless of whether this ceremony marks the end of your academic journey, or if it marks a beginning, we learned a lot over the last four years.”

They have found ways to lead, create and support one another through the ups and downs of high school, Ramos said.

“We were learning how to be resilient, how to adapt, how to grow and how to succeed,” said Ramos.

She encouraged her fellow classmates to lean on their experiences as they step forward into their adult lives.

“I know that all of you, in your own capacity, will do something amazing,” said Ramos. “Remember, the world always needs kind people — people who are willing to choose empathy over ego and kindness over cruelty.”

This year’s commencement speaker was Laurence Stillman.

Stillman graduated from BAHS in 1972 and has been an educator with the Bradford Area School District for the last 50 years. Stillman urged the students to lean into their shared history and never forget Bradford.

“No matter where you go, remember your roots and where you started,” said Stillman. “You can always come back and say with pride that this is where you got your start.” He described his career as a labor of love and said there is nowhere else he would have rather spent his professional life.

“I came back here and I don’t regret it for one minute,” said Stillman.

His advice to the students was to continue to grow and learn, no matter what stage of life they are going through. He noted that those who don’t learn about history can’t learn from it.

“Be a lifelong learner of all things,” said Stillman.

“Read about our history, our politics and our society.”

He encouraged each student to find their own path and be patient with themselves as they figure things out.

“Good things will not happen right away, but you need to stay with your plans,” said Stillman. “Keep the faith that in the long run, you’ll get to where you want to be.”

He reminded the students that they would not be perfect every day, but they still need to press forward and believe in themselves.

“Every good thing I have accomplished that has any value, I have earned by hard work and never giving up,” said Stillman.

The best way to build self confidence is to study, plan ahead and stay consistent, he said. The best way to live a successful and happy life is to tell the people you love that you love them and show them every day by your actions.

“People will remember your kindness and it will be returned,” said Stillman.

The farewell address was given by Camden Baker, son of Robert and Vickie Baker.

To open his speech, Baker noted that endings are part of what makes moments precious.

“Nothing can last forever but that is what makes life so valuable,” said Baker.

He also noted that the class of 2025 typifies what it means to be resilient and pivot under pressure.

He quoted Charles Darwin, “It is not the strongest, or the most intelligent species that survives, but the one that is most adaptable to change.”

Baker recalled how the pandemic interrupted the class’s seventh and eighth grade years.

“Instead of sinking, we swam — our class adapted to survive,” said Baker. Baker encouraged his classmates to continue leaning on those good qualities of strength, adaptability and belief in oneself.

“I am proud of each and every one of you,” said Baker. “You all have a gift … don’t waste it.”

Diplomas were awarded to the following students: Angel Marie Adkins, Giannavi N. Alvira, Gabriella Josephine Anderson, Camden J. Baker***, Malachi Benjamin, Emma Grace Benson***, Carson J.

Bishop, Kendl J. Black, Mitchell J. Brinsky, Shayla A. Buchanan, Wyatt J. Burkett**, Emily Butler**, Chloe Elizabeth Button, Jared Caldwell, Larissa L. Calkins, Joseph Henry Caruso***, Joseph M. Cary*, Kendall Michele Case**, Liberty N. Christjohn, Grace Madeleine Close***, Caden D. Cobb, Carter A. Colley*, Evan D.

Confer*, Blake Hayden Conner, Owen James Copeland*, Leah E.

Coppersmith, Novalee Boudicca Corliss*, Sara M. Cox, Sarrah Kathleen Cox, Mallory S. Craig*, Felicity Jocelyn Cramer**, Eliana Curcio*, Keira J.

Dach**, Damiano Dal Pos, Nicholas B. Davis, Maksim Demic, Kennedi M. Dibble, Mersaydes Christine Dillaman, Angel Guadalupe Dominguez, Mitchell James Douthit*, Ashley N. Engle*, Addicus L. Erickson, Lillian Saige Erickson*, Joshua Nathan Everetts*, Kenzington Fuller, Nouvelle J. L. Fuller, Lily Rose Goodreau, Karsyn A. Gracey-Dalton***, Marcus A. Griffin, Kyannah Grimes, Brittany Lynn Herbstritt, Londyn Kahrin Holden, Korbin D. Holly, Ella-Claire Hope, Kasey Hough, Francesca Brin Jackson*, Jonathan Jasper, Alyssa A. Johnson, Damien Johnson, Jaxon Nathaniel Jones, Mekhi Antonio Jones, Patrick A.

Kelley, Kaitlyn Kessler, Paili Jo Keys, Malyza L. Knapp*, Matthew D.

Kohler, Anthony J. Lama III*, Selah G. Landes*, Chloe S. Lewis, Payton M. Little, Gage T. Livingston, Noah Joseph Lundgren*, Robert E. Mackie V, Andrew J. Magee*, Owen P. Manion***, Emilei M.

Mattoon, Anna Marie Mazzone, Clayton I.

McClintick, Katelyn Grace McConnell*, Malachi A. McCormick, Keira McGee**, Liah Kay McMillen*, Kadence James Metcalf, Khloe A. Miller, Lillian Rose Miller, Lukas Steven Miller, Garett M. Moore, Isabella Grace Moore, Orion Joseph Matthew Morgan, Bryan Mosher, Khloe J. Neely**, Jayde Nellis, Nicholas W.

Newell**, Alise Newman*, Marina Newman**, Marissa Newman, Adam J. Nortum, Dani Juliet Ordiway***, Ian M. Perkins*, Ava Lily-Kay Peterson***, Zane Pressler, Isabella Eileen Prince***, Sarah M.

Prosser, S. Marie Quino, Isabella A. Ramos***, Andrew Ratzel**, Kaelyn Raybuck, Talan N.

Reese**, Sydney A. Reid**, Isabella R. Rhoades**, Leah F. Rissmiller, Ethan Rochna, Ambrose J. Rodgers*, Jackson P. Ronan, Katherine Scarlett O’Harra, Rose Ava Jane Roulo*, Bryceon M. Sallade*, Blaze M. Schleicher*, Angelya G. Sherwood, Keion Matthew Skaggs, Genivieve Mayrie Slater, Declan R. Smith*, Mayla A. Smith*, Kassandra A., Soble, Andrew W.

Sprester, Liana St. Maur, Cyrus Stiles*, Cole D.

Subulski, Gabriel William Tate, Dimitrious Taylor, Mackenzie Leigh Taylor*, Taryn L. Thompson, Zayli A. Thompson, Grace Tyler**, Allyson Verolini, Dylan Walker*, Adeline G. Walt**, Asa G. Walt**, Mike T.

Watson, Lily M. Wells**, Evan Derek Whitmore, Aiden Willard, Gage R.

Wilmoth**, Lindsay Paige Witchen, Alyssa Lynn Worthington**, Aiden Yeager and Jacob D.

Zampogna***.

In absentia: Kelly Chen***, Gavin James Daugherty, Brett M.

Geist*, Alex Pilon**, Elijah Schlopy and Brooklynn Paige Sirline.

*** indicates summa cum laude graduates ** indicates magna cum laude graduates * indicates cum laude graduates