About 430 students received their diplomas Wednesday night before an enthusiastic crowd as Penn Manor High School held commencement at Franklin & Marshall College for the Class of 2024.
Visit can Penn Manor’s YouTube site to watch a recording of the graduation ceremony.
The ceremony got off to a raucous start as principal Doug Eby told the crowd to stand and cheer for their graduates before the formal ceremony – Eby’s first in his new role as principal – began.
In introducing the Class of 2024, Mr. Eby pointed out the students’ many accomplishments.
Ninety-nine graduates maintained a GPA of 4.0 or better in their high school careers, and 58 seniors earned a total of 366 college credits while at Penn Manor, including five students who completed their first year at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
In addition, 342 seniors completed 488 advanced placement exams at Penn Manor, and 107 seniors received certificates of accomplishment after completing their education at Lancaster County Career & Technology Center.
Thirteen members of the senior class plan to enter military service, and one senior, Lucas Victorino has accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.
Also honored at the ceremony was Ethan Benne, who was named Student of the Year by the faculty and staff, and Nicole Foutz, had perfect attendance for the year.
Valedictorian Cole Troop, one of the four student commencement speakers, talked about how his sister Katie, who has Down’s Syndrome, inspired him to become the person he is today.
“Katie taught me what it meant to put myself in others’ shoes. She indirectly taught me to love things I love to do, because some people can’t do them at all. She taught me how to work hard for the little things. She taught me how to love someone unconditionally. Most importantly she made me love communicating with others,” he said.
“That is why I am overjoyed and honored to be here today. I am happy to be able to tell you all not to be afraid to love something.”
The other speakers were salutatorian Suren Clark, Grace Gerner and Grace Hripto, who delivered a closing message to graduates.
“The experiences and knowledge you have gained at Penn Manor will pave a path for your success and growth as a class and as individuals,” she said. “Use them to shape the world into a place you want it to be.”
We wish all our 2024 graduates the best as they embark on life after high school!
Many thanks to Penn Manor juniors Samantha Hess and Olivia Haldeman for contributing commencement photos to this story
