The threat of rain pushed ConVal’s graduation into the school gym Saturday, but emotions in the packed space were far from dampened.

Along with the 153 seniors who received diplomas, two classmates who died during the school year received honorary diplomas in a ceremony that offered the graduates encouragement and recalled for them that tears had been shed for joy and sorrow during their years at the school. 

Lukas Baker’s rendition of the National Anthem was followed by Darlene Raymond’s leading of those assembled in the Pledge of Allegiance. In her remarks, Principal Heather McKillop reminded the Class of 2025 that “Not every achievement is loud,” and that when new challenges present themselves, they should tell themselves that “I am ready for this because I’ve learned how to keep going.” She added that “You belong wherever you go.”

McKillop called for a moment of silence in remembrance of three individuals who were lost this year. Damian Cronan and Timothy Donaruma died in car crashes in the fall, and faculty member Michael Serard also died. An empty chair on the dais symbolized the losses. 

Valedictorian Isabelle Jobin spoke to the losses felt this year.

“There is joy, and there is pain felt, for Damian and Tim who should be here,” she said.

Jobin later called attention to the challenges schools are facing in fulfilling their mission amidst financial constraints.

“Let’s think about what schools need to survive,” she said. 

Abigail Rodenhiser reminded everyone of a reality of their time at ConVal in her salutatorian address.

“If someone asks to borrow your Chromebook charger, you’re probably never getting it back,” she said. 

Class Speaker Grace O’Brien noted how she was known for her handwritten notes to others at school, and told her classmates that “Your presence in this world is like a handwritten note to it.”

Departing faculty member Sherry Nixon told graduates that "If you’re ever in Kentucky, look me up.”

The Faculty Award was presented to Kendrick Robert Edwards, a senior who Alexis Harris noted “was late for every class because he was holding the doors for others, and some of his senior work was late this year because he gave his time to helping others complete their projects.” She added that “In spite of his laurels in track and field, he never boasted. It is hard to imagine this young man ever having a bad day.”

Caroline Glidea was smiling at the consistency of things Saturday morning. She graduated in the same gymnasium years earlier, and was watching her third child, Natalia Istvan, walk across the same stage that sibling and she had.

“It’s exciting,” said Gildea.