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24 graduate from Bucktail Area High School’s Class of 2025

By BREANNA HANLEY bhanley@lockhaven.com 11 min read

RENOVO -- Friends and family gathered to see the Bucktail Area High School Class of 2025 at Dwyer Memorial Field one last time.

Tuesday evening found 24 students turning their tassels and saying one last goodbye to the teachers and faculty who supported them for the last 13 years.

Class Secretary Lilian Sporny welcomed everyone in attendance to the momentous ceremony.

"Tonight we gather not just to mark an ending, but to celebrate a new beginning for the class of 2025. Our hearts are filled with pride, nostalgia and bittersweet emotions. To the graduating class, congratulations. Our journey to get here has been nothing short of extraordinary, filled with challenges to overcome and countless memories made. These moments have strengthened, molded and transformed us into the exceptional individuals we are today," she said.

She praised the family and friends in attendance who have supported the students throughout the years.

"Your love, encouragement and sacrifices made our success possible. Today we celebrate this milestone in honor of you as well. We also would like to extend our deepest appreciation to the faculty and staff for their support and guidance. Your tireless dedication, encouragement and inspiration has been priceless. We will always remember your commitment to shaping us into confident and capable young adults. Your influence will remain with us always," she said.

Sporny encouraged everyone to cherish the moments and journey that have led to the ceremony, addressing her fellow graduates directly.

"As we cross this stage and accept our well-deserved diplomas, remember we carry with us the promise of a bright future. Let's cherish this journey, remembering the challenges we've overcome, victories we've celebrated and the bonds we've created. Each of us have grown and evolved in unexpected ways. As we leave these familiar halls, let's carry our memories and dreams with us. Remember you are not just leaving behind your school years, you're stepping into a future that needs your talents, creativity and passion. Your future is bright, and it's yours to shape." she said.

Class President Brody Pentz began his speech by praising his fellow graduates and thanking those who helped them along the way.

"These past four years were a walk in the park for some, a struggle for others, but most importantly we all made it to the day we thought would never come," Pentz said.

He thanked God for making this moment possible along with teachers, faculty and staff for their mentorship over the years.

"We will carry you deeply in our hearts throughout the rest of our lives," he said.

He gave a special shout out to Mr. Day, joking that Day ensured they lived to see graduation after white water rafting on their senior trip.

"It was scary at the moment, but hopefully it's something we can laugh (about) for years to come," joked Pentz.

He also thanked Bucktail's coaches for all their hard work over the years along with the graduates' parents and families.

"Your support, sacrifices and guidance throughout every moment of our lives is the reason we are here today in caps and gowns ready to start the next chapter. Thank you for believing in us no matter what and always making us your top priority. We love you guys," he said.

To finish his speech, Pentz passed down some words of wisdom to the underclassmen.

"Don't rush it. Time will move faster than you think. Go to the game. Join the club. Live in the moment and have no regrets. You only experience high school once and in the blink of an eye it will all be over. I wish you all the best in whatever your future holds, whether it be entering the workforce, furthering your education, joining our nation's military or just taking a year off. Do it with a purpose and represent our great community proudly," he said.

After a musical selection by the Renovo Heritage Community and Bucktail Bands, thousands of dollars were awarded to the graduating class in scholarships ranging from $25 to $20,000. Many of these scholarships had very strict requirements that spoke to a student's academic prowess, pleasant attitude, future career plans and community involvement.

Valedictorian Mattisyn Mason addressed everyone in attendance with a speech that brought forth laughter and smiles to everyone's faces.

"It feels like yesterday we were wide-eyed 7th graders, most likely getting lost between classes -- I know I was. Now look at us. Here we are with our caps and gowns, ready to take on the world. Or if you're like me, ready for a nap after the ceremony. On a more serious note, this is a testament to our hard work, dedication and maybe just a little too much caffeine for some of us," she said.

Mason spoke about the countless hours studying, doing school work and learning it took to get everyone to graduation, and the hardships the class as a whole overcame together.

"We have not only learned so much from our teachers and books, but from each other as well. This understanding was found when a pandemic called COVID-19 put a pause to our 7th grade year. What was once the coolest place to our young minds was now a prohibited establishment. We experienced lockdowns, virtual learning and social distancing," said Mason. "It wasn't an easy situation to go through, but it taught us to be resilient and adaptable. We learned to appreciate the simple things like face-to-face conversations or sharing laughs and jokes in the hallway."

She continued, "Our journey together has been far from smooth sailing. We've had our disagreements, conflicts and some heated debates in the class group chat... These things make us the family we are today."

She shared a few unforgettable memories, inside jokes and traditions the class holds dear. Mason noted the bond they've cultivated over the years will long outlast their time at the school.

"It is normal to feel a mix of excitement and uncertainty," said Mason. "Our dreams, passions and desires establish a journey that we will pass through to wherever our future may lead. ... As we leave Bucktail we're moving on to the real world that is constantly changing and can be scary... You need to trust in your abilities, knowing that if you do fall down you can always get back up and continue to move forward."

Mason ended her speech by saying, "One day we will be someone's mom or dad, and these memories will be stories. But right now these are our moments. ... If the past four years have taught me anything it's that we shouldn't spend our time waiting for the next big thing as life passes us by. We can choose how to spend our time. Be grateful for the short time we have. Take life day by day, embracing the unknown, taking those leaps of faith and creating your mark on the world. Don't forget the people who helped you get there. Congratulations to the class of 2025, this is our time."

Salutatorian Martin Lewis spoke next, thanking everyone for celebrating the culmination of 13 years of hard work. He remarked on how quickly the time flew by, noting that it felt like not long ago he'd stood on the same field ready for his final varsity football game.

"For a class entering middle school right as the pandemic started, our high school time felt much shorter than the classes before us. In the blink of an eye we were suddenly freshmen... blink again and we're putting on caps and gowns for the first time to take pictures in front of our alma mater. Time can truly fly by if we let it. Though this chapter of our lives is now coming to an end, we are still in the prime of our lives," said Lewis.

He remarked on the changes he and his classmates have seen over the years, from technological evolutions to changes in society itself and the uncertainty it brings. Though he noted that they must persevere and move forward.

Lewis spoke about the teachers and faculty at Bucktail who have prepared these graduates for life outside of school.

"Though not perfect, as all things are not, this building and this very small but hard working group of teachers and staff, have prepared us as best as they know to enter this changing world. We have been taught to think on our feet, be adaptable to this change, (to) put in our best effort at all times and take on any challenge that is put in front of us. We have been taught to voice our opinions, and stand up for what we believe is right. This is exactly what our world needs," he said.

Lewis continued, "Our generation is the next generation to lead the world. I know that may seem scary to some, but this place, this school, this community is special. I believe that out of this place will come leaders. Strong people with strong voices who will make waves in the world. Although we are destined to do great things in many places (we) have to remember our roots and represent the excellence and effort that our parents and grandparents have left with from this very building."

He ended his speech with a quote by Maya Angelou, "Success is loving life and daring to live it."

After Lewis' speech, Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon addressed the graduates and the crowd. He began his speech with expressing his gratitude to the family and staff members who have helped create a strong foundation for these students, and who have guided them onward.

"Together you've built this stage, both figuratively and literally, on which these young people now sit, ready to take their next steps into adulthood. It's a true honor to stand before you tonight and celebrate this important moment," he said.

Redmon continued, touching on what he saw when he looked at the seated graduates.

"Looking at the class of 2025, I see more than just students. I see individuals who have already lived through moments of challenge and triumph, learning and laughter, responsibility and resilience. You have shown what it means to be respectful and reliable, and ready for what comes next. Today is a celebration of not just receiving a diploma, but of everything that diploma represents," he said.

Bucktail Principal James Poleto was next to speak, congratulating the students on behalf of the entire Bucktail family.

"It has truly been a privilege to watch you grow not just as students, but as leaders, as athletes and most importantly as people," Poleto said. "Over the years you've shown resilience, determination and compassion. You've met challenges head on and supported one another along the way. You've made your mark on Bucktail, and we're all better for it. In this past year alone, I've had the honor to watch the class of 2025 make a lasting impact on our school and community.

Poleto spoke highly of the students who are trying to change the state fossil to the Hynerpeton, the student athletes who have qualified for states, the music program that is continuing to grow and the students who have worked with local agencies to reinvigorate the community through art.

"Any one of these accomplishments would have made this a great year at Bucktail, but we were able to achieve this and so much more in no small part to the efforts of the young men and women sitting before you," said Poleto.

"As you step into the next chapter of your lives, know that we are incredibly proud of you and excited to see what the future holds. Whatever path you choose, chase it with the same spirit and heart you've shown here and remember this: no matter where life takes you, Bucktail will always be your home. You always have a place here, and we'll be cheering you on... The future is yours, go make it amazing," he said.

Willow Kitchen bid the class of 2025 farewell after they were declared graduates, congratulating her fellow students.

"As we stand here today on the brink of a new chapter, it is impossible not to reflect on the journey that brought us here. This isn't the end, it's the beginning... The future is a wide open landscape filled with endless possibilities that are going to be scary, but also incredibly exciting," said Kitchen. "As we step forward, let's carry with us all the lessons we've learned, the values we've come to know and the spirit of curiosity. Let us celebrate this huge milestone with gratitude and optimism."

Following her speech, the class of 2025 banded together to sing the song "Senior Year" by Drew Baldrige before walking further into Dwyer Memorial Field and tossing their caps in the air.

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