For the 14th and final time, Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts students, faculty and proud families endured the sweltering echo chamber of Packer Chapel to celebrate a graduation ceremony June 12.

The successful and expanding school will require a larger venue next year, but for 116 young men and women, this was a joyous sendoff.

“What a class,” began Executive Director Diane LaBelle. “You have seen many changes in your four years at Charter Arts: You began your career in the old windowless building. You made the transition to the new school, and experienced the exciting and sometimes difficult changes that brought. You truly were able to experience a remarkable education in the arts and in the core curriculum. You excelled.”

Regaling the audience with a litany of student accomplishments, from Shakespeare Festival and scholastic awards to national musical performance in vitations to advancing to all-state in figure skating.

“All of you were part of 92; yes, 92 performances and exhibitions that appeared in the galley and on the stages of the theater, the commons and the Black Box. You also showed your commitment to being part of the community by sharing your talents at Godfrey Daniels, the Lodge, Hotel Bethlehem, SteelStacks and Touchstone theatre.” all while giving to causes such as Haiti relief, the American Cancer Society and Aubry’s Cystic Fibrosis fund, among others.

LaBelle said, “Next year we will celebrate our 15th year as the Charter Arts. Thank you for the part you played in helping us get to such a milestone. You helped get us there and I hope you’ll visit. You are teaching a lesson to our region about how artistic and academic disciplines can work together to foster creativity and success in the 21st century.”

Class speaker Sachi Rodriguez compared her classmates with rosewood trees; supporting each other through overlapping roots, and how that support helped her when she first moved to Charter Arts from public school. “I had an “Aha” moment the first time I heard that Charter Arts even existed. A school where I could study my art form for 15 hours a week. What better thing could a young Sachi hear? I was afraid; afraid that I would be the lone wolf, the odd one out, not good enough for the other kids already attending the school.

Rodriguez said, “Today, after many relationships built, lessons learned, opportunities seized and missed, I realize I was wrong. Yes, feeling fear for the future is natural. But it was the best decision in my life thus far.”

She said the disparate disciplines at the school are all still connected and strengthen each other, just as the graduates themselves. “We cannot fail because we hold each other up like the interwoven roots of the rosewood trees. We have created a support system that resembles that of a family. Unity is the sacred attribute that we possess.”

Rodriguez said the future is unknown, but they are prepared for it. “We all have a different destination, but will experience the same sense of unfamiliarity. New stages come with fear, a fear of the unknown. But we all know this fear. We experienced a bit of fear when we decided to go out of the regular school system when we heard of Charter Arts. We felt fear when we entered Charter Arts for the first time and auditioned. We are better prepared to face fear because of the last four years here at Charter Arts. No matter what our future holds, please remember that the most beautiful things in life are on the other side of fear.”

Student speaker Mamie Covell said they have influenced and grown together, and now have the freedom and responsibility for their own actions. “We now have control of what is to be fought for and spoken about. The knowledge of our art can be used in many realms of life. With the choice to pursue a career in art or not, we have outstanding tools to create change. The influence formed by sharing our voice is powerful.

“Let us continue to have the unique outlook on life we have built in our community of Charter Arts , continue to share our voice.”

Covell said, “In our final moments together as one, the class of 2017, I speak for us in a united voice with two words: Thank you.”

Every year each department gives an award to one student according to its own internal values regarding skill and workmanship, leadership, and attitude. The senior awards for the class of 2017 are: Dance - Jessica Massimino; Figure Skating - Lauren Pietrzak; Instrumental Music- Donavan Austin; Theatre- Mia Zappacosta; Visual Art- Bria Pickel; Vocal Music- Sachi Rodriguez; Academic Award- Mia Zappacosta. Two other major awards, unrelated to majors, are Congressional Citizen Award - Mia Zappacosta; and Piano Major Award - Kaitlyn O’Brien.

LaBelle said this class achieved the highest Keystone Exam scores of any school in the Lehigh Valley and that, in all, these 116 graduates earned $4.07 million in grants and scholarships.

“You have helped us become the best of the best. Wherever your path takes you next, whether it be a new school, the job force or serving in the military, we know that the discipline and the work ethic that you learned at Charter Arts will help you find your way on the path you will follow.”