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BEA celebrates class of 2023 on sunny, warm day

By TAMMY COAKLEY For The Express 6 min read

WINGATE -- It was a warm evening for the outdoor graduation ceremony held at Bald Eagle Area High School.

Under sunny skies and with temperatures hovering around the 90 degree mark on Friday, June 2, 120 seniors entered and walked across the football field to the traditional "Pomp and Circumstance" processional. Each took their commencement seat facing the stage lined with sunflowers, their chosen class flower.

The bleachers at Alumni Stadium in Wingate were filled with proud families and friends of the Class of 2023 who stood for the invocational prayer given by their classmate, Laura Ternent. The American flag fluttered ever so slightly as the "Star Spangled Banner" was played by the Bald Eagle Area Eagles' Band.

Senior Class President Isaac Dechow was the first to address those who had gathered for this momentous occasion. In his welcome address, Dechow acknowledged that "four years ago when we entered as freshman, can you recall how scared you might have been? There were teachers we may have been frightened of at first. What sticks out most about our freshman year was the (COVID) virus that cut our in-class learning short."

"Sophomore year we transitioned back into the classroom, but with masks, and Zoom never seemed to work quite right. Junior year is the time when students begin to think about their futures and their post high school plans. Junior year you realize that high school doesn't last forever. Watching my brother graduate last year put this into perspective. During our senior year we realized that we didn't need to be scared. Those teachers that we were frightened of were only there to help us."

In closing, Dechow thanked teachers, faculty and staff, coaches... and the students sitting on the field all around him.

"Thank you for making our class one to remember. Remember to be excellent to each other. We, as a class, are all one family," Dechow said.

The school chorus sang "Dance for Love" which was then followed by the introduction of the Class of 2023 Valedictorian, Charlotte Cingle.

"Eight years ago my oldest sister, Madeline, stood with the same title, and that day I made the decision I would dedicate my high school career to doing the same. Along with my other three sisters, Julia, Tessa and Georgia, my greatest influence was that of my parents. I'm beyond lucky to have their guidance," said Cingle.

Also in her graduation speech, Charlotte said, "that before moving forward I ask that you give back. Give back to the individuals who have led you here today. Thank the countless role models, family members, friends, staff and classmates that have motivated you to the point of commencement."

Cingle told her fellow classmates and the audience "that although we soon part our ways, each of us is bound for success. With courage and compassion each graduate will make contributions to positive progression."

At the end of her speech Charlotte introduced her cousin, Maura Cingle, the Salutatorian.

In the opening of her Salutatorian's speech, Maura Cingle said that she "likes to be prepared for things and I like to be right."

Maura went on to say that she "will miss making memories here, but I am so excited for all of our futures. Let's all take a deep breath and feel proud that we have reached this point. We made it."

"We've set our foundation here at BEA, now it's time to build upwards. So, build skyscrapers, build homes and build your life," she continued.

In closing, Maura thanked her family for their love and support and for giving her every opportunity to succeed. She also gave a shout out to her sister, Anna, for her guidance in her life.

Classmates from 50 years ago, BEA's Class of 1973, were in attendance and were asked to stand to be recognized with a round of applause.

Class of 1973's, Kevin Hallahan, addressed the crowd and offered his speech in four points: fun, advice from mothers and grandmothers in his class, comparing the 1970s to 2020s and Bedford Monday Boys and BEA.

Hallahan, aka "Bird Man," broke into song: "I am a lineman for the Eagles, and I plug the main holes. Searching all around for a fumble... I can tackle in the morning, I can tackle at noon, but a lineman for the Eagles is so out of tune."

Some advice from the Class of 1973 included:

-- Don't do anything tonight, or any other night, that you wouldn't want your mother to know about.

-- Always do the right thing even if no one is looking.

-- No one is better than you, and you're not better than anyone else.

-- Make new friends, but keep the old.

In the 1970s, Nixon was president; Dungeons and Dragons was introduced; and the song "I am Woman" was released.

Hallahan used the word PRIDE to encourage the graduating class -- Persevere, Respect (God, your country, your family and yourself), Individual effort (of body, mind and soul), Determination and Enthusiasm.

Superintendent Mr. Curtis Whitesel approached the podium to offer his advice, encouragement and congratulations to the Class of 2023. Whitesel first asked those seniors who already have or who are going to enlist in the Armed Forces to stand and be recognized.

Having worked at five school district's, Whitesel said that BEA is legendary. Athletically the school is a dynasty while academically the students can compete with any student in the country.

Whitesel issued a challenge to the graduates to thrive.

"When you wake up each morning you have two choices...to survive or to thrive," he said. "Are you going to go through the motions each day just to survive? Or are you going to work harder, and give it everything you've got and thrive?"

In his closing remarks, referring to the 100 degree heat of the evening, Whitesel said that the graduates "were truly going out in a blaze of glory!"

Whitesel also encouraged the Class of 2023 to "be BEA" -- Better, Every day, Always, as they venture into their futures.

The presentation of diplomas was handled by Tina Greene, president of the BEA Board of Education, and each student walked to the stage as their name was announced by high school Principal John Tobias.

After each of the seniors had received their diploma, Greene then introduced Bald Eagle Area's Class of 2023 to the audience.

In addition to the sunflower being their class flower, the graduating Class of 2023 chose Navy blue and Vegas gold as their class colors; their class motto is "Life is what we make it, always has been, always will be," and their song is "Sweet Caroline," the classic by Neil Diamond.

After the band played the Alma Mater and Laura Ternent said the concluding benediction, it was then that the caps of the graduating seniors were thrown skyward in celebration of the Class of 2023.

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