The Bethlehem Area School District premiered its high schools’ respective graduation videos via YouTube Aug. 4 and 5. The videos featured highlights from the in-person ceremonies held nearly two weeks prior, the recognition of student accomplishments and commencement speakers such as administrators and faculty, graduating class officers, academic honorees and more.

Of particular note were the speeches, which were recorded separately with no in-person audience July 23 at BASD Stadium. Topics ranged from nostalgia to future ambition and optimism, with the Class of 2020’s unprecedented circumstances not lost on many of the presenters. When Liberty HS Principal Harrison Bailey III quoted abolitionist Frederick Douglass in saying “without struggle, there is no progress,” the sentiment felt especially relevant this year.

Liberty’s Class of 2020 Secretary Autumn Marrero kicked off their ceremony by introducing guests, school board members and administration. Bailey then thanked faculty and staff for dedicating themselves to district students and schools and presented a virtual performance of the song “Rise Up” from the school’s choir. He also honored the 11 students who are entering a branch of the U.S. military after graduation.

Bailey honored salutatorian Julia Swart and valedictorian Magda Yurchishin by sharing their accomplishments, and Assistant Principal Amanda Hinkel congratulated National Merit Commended Student Casey Frank, as well as a number of Lamp of Knowledge student honorees who have achieved all ‘A’-equivalent grades in all courses over all four years at the high school.

Assistant Principal Nikolas Tsamoutalidis then recognized High Honors and Honors students whose cumulative GPAs finished at 3.5 and higher. Assistant Principal Antonio Traca celebrated the 91 members of the National Honor Society, as well as the 12 members of the National Technical Honor Society from the Bethlehem Vocational-Technical School.

Traca also honored Zoey Reifinger for completing 1,231 hours of community service, as well as 130 more students who completed more than 135 hours each.

“In total, Liberty (seniors) have completed a total of 48,450 hours of community service,” he said, happily adding, “this is 12,030 more hours than are required by BASD policy.”

Assistant Principal Wayne Whitaker honored several students who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout or obtained the Girl Scout Gold Award and recognized a handful of students who had perfect attendance for all four years.

Bailey then presented the Principal’s Award to Reifinger, whom he said “has proudly represented her school in academics, athletics, community service, school spirit and Hurricane loyalty.” He also expressed his appreciation for all the staff members who helped put the ceremony together, as well as the students themselves.

Class Treasurer Michael Capuano then presented the class gift. He described how he had noticed the historic architecture and design of the Commons Building, and how it inspired the gift in which the concrete letters that display ‘Liberty High School’ on its front will be freshly repainted. He said the gift “symbolizes the importance and need for historical restoration no matter how modern today’s world may get.”

Superintendent Dr. Joseph Roy congratulated the graduates for “being able to find the positive” in unprecedented times as he encouraged them to “treat others with compassion and grace.” He then introduced School Board President Michael Faccinetto, who offered remarks on the civil unrest of the last few months.

Faccinetto quoted recently deceased civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis, saying, “it’s okay to get into some ‘good trouble’ to make the world a better, more equitable, peaceful and just place.” He then presented the first diploma to class Vice President Estafania Velazquez, who led students in the ceremonial ‘turning of the tassel.’

Class President Danil Kurtz closed this portion of the video with a pre-recorded speech which encouraged his fellow graduates to rise to the unique and somewhat disappointing circumstances under which the class of 2020’s high school journey has ended.

“Our futures will never be perfect,” he said. “Our lives, more than ever, will be faced with adversity and challenges that we must learn to overcome.”

The Freedom HS ceremony was similar in composition and structure, with Principal Michael LaPorta welcoming online viewers, and introducing Student Council President Nasia Palaios, who spoke of both ‘reflection’ and ‘wonder,’ as she provided a list of athletic accomplishments by Freedom teams over the last four years. She also highlighted the art, music and theater departments and praised all of her classmates.

“I do not know everyone’s story, but I do know that each of us have powered on and gotten this far,” she said.

The Freedom Senior Choir then presented a virtual performance of “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves, with valedictorian Kenan Kanopka Jr. speaking next. The topic was ‘academics’ as he described the evolution of the educational model and the challenges overcome over the last 12 years, especially the last few months. He also recognized and honored teachers and other educators who helped members of the Class of 2020 through their respective journeys.

LaPorta retook the stage, also commending teachers for their contributions and recognizing those who are retiring at the end of this year. He recognized school board members and other administrative staff in the district. He closed by describing meeting with several students before the ceremony to identify a theme for the ceremony. Ultimately, it was decided that “We are strong. We are resilient. We are one.” fit the bill. He reminded students that these qualities will be expected and necessary for success in life going forward.

After LaPorta certified the graduates, Superintendent Roy addressed the graduates and viewers. Similar to the speech he gave in the Liberty video, he acknowledged students’ frustration and, at times, anger over their circumstances but encouraged them to continue persevering. Faccinetto also provided a speech similar to what he gave Liberty and presented Class President Jared Dowling with the first diploma.

Dowling spoke of his personal battle with leukemia as a child and broader challenges faced by the entire Class of 2020. He described himself and his fellow classmates as “born into a post-9/11 world” and “growing up in an era where school shootings are common,” as well as challenged by a rapidly-evolving technological landscape.

He also referenced COVID-19, saying it “might not be the end of the world, but is most definitely the end of the world as we know it.” He retained an optimistic point of view, however, saying, “I strongly believe that the best is yet to come in our lives ... we are only scratching the surface of our true potential.”

Assistant Principal Maureen Leeson then honored Freedom’s Lamp of Knowledge honorees, including Lleyton Herb, who was accepted to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and is currently completing basic training and unable to attend the ceremony. Roy then announced the full-tuition Moravian College Scholarship recipient, Damian Almonte.

Next to speak was National Honor Society President Joshua Konschnick to present the NHS gift, a $1,000 donation to the Miller-Keystone Blood Center.

“Now, with our healthcare system struggling to cope with the demands placed on it by the COVID-19 outbreak, we feel that the organization’s commitment to saving lives should be celebrated and supported. We hope that our donation is helpful in fighting the pandemic and preserving life,” he said. “If just one person is helped by our donation, it will have all been worth it.”

Dowling then presented the class gifts: a new bottle-filling water fountain and electric blinds for their new faculty and student workout space. Lastly, Roy presented the Freedom Senior Class video, produced by the Class of 2020’s Xenia Vazquez Collazo.

Both videos included highlights from each school’s graduating class’ high school tenures as well as messages pre-recorded at home from students and faculty and they remain streamable on the BASDPA YouTube page for those who may wish to watch.