A crisp, breezy late-spring day June 1 at the Northampton Area School District education complex on Laubach Avenue greeted the 465 members of the Northampton Area High School Class of 2025, their families, friends, numerous teachers and administration for the 124th annual commencement exercises. The graduation ceremony was held at Al Erdosy Stadium.

The event kicked off with the NAHS band members playing “Pomp and Circumstance,” written by Sir Edward Elgar of Great Britain in 1901. The NAHS band then played, as Hailey Achey and Audrey Wood sang, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key Sept. 14, 1814.

The welcome to all present was provided by NAHS Principal Luke Shafnisky, who thanked the efforts of the students, their families and all those who helped shaped the students toward success.

The opening remarks were given by Superintendent of Schools Joseph Kovalchik, who told the audience this was his 35th consecutive year of speaking at a commencement.

“Each class has its own personality,” he noted.

Kovalchik said there are three components of success in a high school — the district’s resources and support, students’ family support and students’ engagement in the education process. Kovalchik said the Class of 2025 has excelled in the classroom, on the athletic fields, in the arts, at Bethlehem Vocational-Technical School and in community service, using those three components for success.

He said the Class of 2025 is one of the greatest classes to pass through Northampton Area High School.

“Chase your dreams and desires,” Kovalchik said. “I wish you much success.”

Kovalchik then recognized the 64 honored guests from the Northampton High School Class of 1975.

Lauren Daniels, the first of two senior honors speakers, said she often felt like “I can’t wait for this or that” during her high school career. She realized she needed to focus more on the present and enjoy the moment.

“Never let go of your dreams. Live in the now,” Daniels said. “Congratulations to all, and don’t forget to live in every moment.”

In her senior honors speaker role, Juliana Medei used her dog, who had recently died, as a motivator for her talk to her school peers. She said dogs live fully, openly and unapologetically.

She noted her high school experience, and that of other students, was often not focused on the here and now but was always looking forward to the next test, event, game or outing, at the expense of fully appreciating the current moment.

She added she learned many things from her dog.

Wag your tail and love fully. She said her dog, even if she was only away for 10 minutes, would react with love by wagging his tail like she was gone a long time.

Chase fearlessly what makes you happy. Life is too short. Be fearless. Go after your passion and joy every moment.

Be loyal. There are good and bad times, but the dog is always there with loyalty and joy.

“Let’s have loyalty, fearlessness and hearts full of love,” Medei said.

Shafnisky announced the names of the 72 members of the National Honor Society and the 20 members of the National Technical Society. He thanked them for their hard work in achieving honors status. Shafnisky honored the military recruits in the 2025 class.

The Class of 2025 is measured by a number of things — numerous Advanced Placement Scholars, AP Scholars with Honor, AP Scholars with Distinction, International Thespian Honor Society, the Biological Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society and more.

There were 14 departmental awards given, as well as six vocational-technical awards, recognition of National German Exam medal winners and Exchange Club Students of the Month.

The senior class officers shared reflections of their journey at NAHS.

Shafnisky presented the Class of 2025 to Kovalchik, who gave his formal acceptance of the Class of 2025.

The senior class roll call was done by class officers Paige Evans, Cameron Coccetti, Logan Berger and Savana Williams.

School board President Kristin Soldridge presented diplomas to the class members.

The students’ receipt of diplomas was followed by the NAHS band playing the alma mater, sung by Achey, Kaya Suskevich and Wood. The alma mater was written by Dorothy Mae Hawk, of the Northampton High School Class of 1921.

Shafnisky spoke heartfelt words about a student — Rianna Glass — who tragically died in 2023 and who would have been at the commencement.

The ceremony ended after Shafnisky’s closing remarks, with the graduates completing the ceremonial placing of the tassel from right to left on their cap. The students finished by throwing their caps high into the air.

Recessional music played as the students departed the field for a final time as a class. Some students will go on to higher education, others to the military and still others beginning an employment career.

The students all met with their families in celebration after the graduation ceremony.

The commencement gathering will certainly contain cherished, lifelong memories for the graduates and their families.