A ceremony was held June 2 at PPL Center in Allentown for the Whitehall High School Class of 2025. The gathering was WHS’ 121st commencement.

The June 2 event found the 331 members of the WHS Class of 2025, their families, friends, numerous teachers and administration personnel on hand to celebrate an important passage in their young lives — their high school graduation.

The commencement kicked off with the school band playing “Pomp and Circumstance,” written by Sir Edward Elgar of Great Britain in 1901.

The welcome to all present was provided by WHS Principal Dr. Peter J. Mayes.

The talented band and chorale then played the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key Sept. 14, 1814.

Class Vice President Paige Tacker provided the invocation.

Opening remarks were given by Whitehall-Coplay School District Superintendent Christopher A. Schiffert, who congratulated the Class of 2025 for its resilience and achievement. The class built lasting friendships, he said, and he urged the seniors to go forward with perseverance, kindness and compassion.

“We celebrate your bright future,” Schiffert said, “and wish you all nothing but the best.”

Class President Neiv Sinha did a show and tell of his time capsule that he said “might be a decorated Pringles can” that he put together in first grade. He said the capsule is a flash bulb moment.

He noted the commencement is also a flash bulb moment, adding when a person climbs to a summit, they always look back.

“Tonight, we look back,” he said.

Sinha noted they all come from different backgrounds and thanked all who helped the students to get to the summit.

“Let’s take a moment to applaud all those instrumental in our achievements,” he said. “Tonight we open our doors to the future.”

He concluded by congratulating the Class of 2025.

Mayes provided his principal’s introductions and welcomed the WHS Class of 1975 on the 50th anniversary of its commencement. He thanked the 1975 class for awarding four scholarships to members of the Class of 2025.

Miriam Feday, of the Class of 2025, talked about the four years of growth she experienced at Whitehall as a child of immigrants. She said her parents gave up everything to help their family and she learned at school that “everyone is carrying something.”

Feday urged her classmates to be resilient and dare to dream higher.

She ended by thanking every parent attending the commencement congratulating the Class of 2025.

The 79 honors and outstanding scholars in the 2025 class were applauded by Mayes. He congratulated them for their dedication and focus to attain high academic achievement.

Mayes noted many students engaged in 100 hours or more of community service. He singled out student Skye Dunstan for more than 425 community service hours.

Mayes then recognized the high school faculty and staff, thanking them for their work in helping shape the future of the 2025 graduates. Mayes introduced student speaker Jillian Kane, who thanked the faculty from her kindergarten year through her senior year for their support and inspiration.

The faculty’s help, she said, motivated her to plan a career in education.

Valedictorian Peter Raffoul said he bought his first yearbook last year and was surprised at how many of his fellow students he did not know. He said he then worked to make random friendships at lunch and at other times throughout his school experience by having more interactions with fellow students. He said he made friends, and, as the class moves into the future, he asked them to make eye contact with people and have conversations with others.

The WHS Chorale, directed by Cara Craft, sang “Yesterday,” written by Paul McCartney, sung by the Beatles and arranged by Jacob Narverud.

Mayes then gave his remarks, noting this was his last talk to the Class of 2025.

“We are here tonight to honor you,” he said, adding the parents, families, teachers and administrators have unwavering support for them.

Mayes said the future is bright for the graduates.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve you,” Mayes said. “I am proud of each and every one of you. Congratulations, Class of 2025.”

The formal presentation of the Class of 2025 was offered by Mayes to Schiffert. Schiffert gave his formal reception of the Class of 2025.

The roll call of the graduating students was announced by the Class of 2025 senior class officers. School Board President William P. Fonzone Sr. presented diplomas to the graduates as the students lined up to cross the stage to receive their diplomas and march into their future.

Upon conclusion of the roll call, the chorale sang the school’s alma mater.

The ceremony closed after Schiffert announced his declaration of graduation. The class performed the ceremonial placing of the tassel from the right to left side of their caps. In a celebratory moment, some students finished by throwing their caps high into the air.

Recessional music, “The Thunderer” by John Philip Sousa, was played by the WHS band and directed by Michael Tanzos.

The students met up with their families in celebration after the ceremony to smiles, tears of joy, flowers and balloons. The graduates left the PPL Center to embark on their future plans to enter a university, college, technical school, a military career or begin work in a potential career.

There is no doubt the special evening will form lifelong, cherished memories for these Zephyr graduates.