BELLEFONTE — Emotions flowed freely before, during and after graduation at Bellefonte Area High School on June 3.
The Class of 2016 celebrated by tossing their caps in the air at the conclusion of the two-plus hour-long commencement.
Despite some heavy showers during the morning hours, the skies cleared and BAHS held its first outdoor graduation ceremony since 2012.
The keynote speaker was Patti Hillard, a member of the Bellefonte Area High School Class of 1973 and a retired district administrator. She joked that she spoke with senior Nick Jabco about the weather earlier in the week.
“I told him to order some good weather,” she said, “and he came through.”
On a sun-splashed evening at Rogers Stadium, temperatures reached 88 degrees before it turned to dusk.
There were 181 graduates honored on this night.
The night began with a prelude by the Bellefonte Area High School Concert Band, followed by the processional, the Pledge of Allegiance, the “Star Spangled Banner” and the Bellefonte Alma Mater.
Class president Tanner Day welcomed the crowd, which packed the bleachers at Rogers Stadium.
Day was followed by interim superintendent, Dr. Michelle Saylor. High school prinicipal Jennifer Brown addressed the students and crowd.
After Brown, class valedictorian Anya Hoaglund spoke as did salutatorian Emma Smith.
Hilliard then took the podium for an emotional speech which covered the history of BAHS. The first graduating class — in 1884 — had four graduates.
“You’ve heard of the Beatles,” Hillard said. “Well we have the Bellefonte Fab Four, consisting of Henry, Wilie, Morris and Harvey — the entire membership of the first graduating class.”
The Class of 1885 year featured five graduating seniors, Hilliard said.
In 1891, the first African-American graduated from Bellefonte Area High School.
Following the speeches, diplomas were handed out by Saylor, Brown, Rodney Musser, Michael Feddison and Daniel Park.
The student speeches were definitely one of the highlights of the night.
“Be yourself,” Hoaglund said. “In a world where standards are dictated by someone else, that is a bold move.”
