The bleachers at Alumni Stadium in Wingate were crowded with proud families and friends of the Class of 2026 who stood for the invocation given by graduating senior Owen Dechow. The American flag fluttered in the breeze as the “Star Spangled Banner” was played by the Bald Eagle Area Eagles’ Band.

Senior Class President Leah Byran was the first to address those who had gathered for this momentous occasion.

In her welcome address, Bryan said that science says you live half of your life before 21 (but that doesn’t mean you die at age 42.) Throughout school we’ve made memories that will be remembered best. The five senses will help you remember some of your most cherished memories.

“If we spend our whole lives reaching for what’s next, we will risk missing what’s now,” said Bryan.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS A graduate steadies his cap during the breezy commencement.

Bryan told her classmates that “we have so much time to become the people we want to be, to see the places we want to see, to do the things we want to do. This graduating class is going to go far. We are difference makers. We will all make a difference in our own way.”

In closing, Bryan said, “Be sure to appreciate the moments that don’t seem important yet, but will be.

Following Bryan’s commencement speech, the Bald Eagle Area High School Chorus sang “No Time,” an arrangement by Susan Brumfield, before Michaela Turner, the Class Valedictorian, approached the podium.

Turner began her commencement address by telling the crowd that she went to the residents at Eagle Valley Personal Care Home to ask them what they would tell themselves at our age if they could go back in time. She received many interesting comments and words of advice, but the consensual advice (from the residents) was to “never pass up an opportunity to grow.”

Turner said that one resident at the personal care home gave this advice… that she “hopes that whatever career field we choose, that we do it to our utmost ability, never stop working hard and don’t let someone convince you that you don’t deserve it.”

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Owen Dechow says a prayer during BEA’s graduation ceremony.

Turner told her classmates and the audience to “Keep growing. We have so much to learn about ourselves and to improve upon. Your story is far from finished.”

In his opening, Class of 2026 Salutatorian Kaden Clark began by thanking school personnel along with his parents and his classmates.

Clark shared that for writing his speech he was trying to think of what brought all of his classmates together, and that just a few nights ago graduates gathered for a Senior Sleepover on the football field, setting up a small camp site, with one constant during the entire time — Grady Fisher’s obnoxious speaker.

“Music brings people together,” Clark said.

Clark said he tried to find a song that would best describe his high school experience, but he couldn’t find just one. In his search he did find several love songs that expressed his sentiments and the adoration surrounding his high school years.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Christopher Santini, Bald Eagle Area School District Superintendent address the audience during the 2026 graduation ceremony.

“I love this place and what it has made me,” Clark said. He said he loved being a student athlete, loves being a brother… and he loved being a teacher’s kid, being able to run to his mother’s classroom to hug her when he learned he was to give the Salutatorian’s speech.

Clark shed a few tears during his commencement speech, and listening to his heartfelt words, folks in the crowd shed a few tears, too.

Clark summed up his sentiments with the song Roses by Chainsmokers with the lyrics beginning with ‘Take it Slow, it’s not typical.’

Clark said to his classmates in closing, “We’ll always wish we had more of something once it’s gone. Take these next few moments slow. Take the coming summer filled with endless memories slow. Take the walk out of this stadium slow… and Class of 2026, Take on the world slow, because we are not typical.”

Next to take the podium was BEA Superintendent, Mr. Christopher Santini, who began by addressing the graduates with “in a few short moments those gathered here will watch you walk across this stage to receive your diploma.”

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Class President Leah Bryan addresses the crowd during BEA’s graduation ceremony.

Santini reminded the Class of 2026, “it took many people to help you get to this point. Just yesterday your parents sent you off to kindergarten and in the blink of an eye here you are.”

Santini welcomed the Class of 1976 back to the 2026 graduation and thanked those alumni seated on the football field for coming and continuing the tradition of having members of the elder class who graduated 50 years earlier from Bald Eagle Area High School return to be a part of this year’s graduation ceremony.

Santini took a moment to recognize several graduates who have committed to entering different branches of the United States Armed Forces. He asked those students to stand and be recognized, as they were given a loud round of applause.

In his closing remarks, Santini mentioned that to succeed it takes intelligence, the will to succeed and determination. “To be successful you have to show up consistently and balance demands. Success requires communication,” he said. “This class has what it takes to succeed in your next chapters in life. We look forward to seeing this group of Eagles soar.”

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 Chad Packer.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Graduates are shown during the commencement ceremony on May 29.

After each of the seniors received their diploma, Greene then proudly proclaimed them graduates of Bald Eagle Area High School.

The BEA Class of 2026 had chosen tulips as their class flower. The class colors are Navy blue and Vegas gold. Their class motto is “These halls, these people, these memories — one day they’ll be the ‘good old days.'” The class song was ‘Good Old Days’, by Macklemore, featuring Kesha.

After the band played the Alma Mater and following the closing benediction by Owen Dechow, it was then that the graduating seniors threw their caps into the air.

Congratulations to the Bald Eagle Area Eagles’ Class of 2026.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Graduates are shown during the commencement ceremony on May 29.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Kaden Clark, Salutatorian of BEA’s Class of 2026, speaks during the commencement ceremony.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The chorus sang “No Time” during the ceremony.