“And the first one now will later be last,” Bob Dylan famously sang in 1964. His American classic “The Times They Are a-Changin’” was both warning and a call for adaptation in a world of tidal social upheaval, and such was embodied by the solemn rendition performed by the Freedom HS Choir during the June 4 commencement at Stabler Arena.

As these young graduates enter maturity in a turbulent time, the class of 2026 and administrators embraced the theme of “gratitude” to reflect on the need for help and community.

Chosen by the student body to speak on their behalf, Sean Vennemann issued an East African proverb; If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. “My dad has always had a remarkable ability to organize people and unite them around a common purpose, whether it was our neighborhood or through BSD proud parents. He showed me how ordinary people can accomplish extraordinary things when they work together. It’s about making people feel heard, valued and connected to one another, and when I look at the graduating class tonight, I honestly believe that same spirit exists within us, too. We’ve learned how to support one another, rally around one another … and I’m eternally grateful. So thank you dad. Thank you for showing me the kind of person I should strive to become.”

Vennemann and others also honored the memory of his best friend, David Nagy, who died during their junior year. He said Nagy didn’t define people by their worst moments and worked to help fellow teens struggling with mental health issues.

“David understood that building people up matters. He understood that compassion matters, and I know many of us here tonight were impacted by that kindness in one way or another, so thank you David. Thank you for reminding us the strongest communities are built through empathy, compassion and genuine care.

“You might be wondering what this has to do with us as a graduating class, and honestly it has everything to do with us as a Freedom family, because this lesson about gratitude isn’t just mine, it belongs to all of us. Every single one of us has so much to be thankful for tonight; parents, teachers, coaches, friends, mentors, siblings, people who believed in us before we believed in ourselves.

“As we move on to the next stages of our lives, I hope we hold tightly onto the people who helped shaped us I’m grateful for this community.”

Faculty-chosen speaker Amy Illescas, the daughter of immigrant parents, said she learned very early on that opportunity is not something simply everyone is given, and that she saw how sacrifice and opportunity can change lives.

“My family moved from Elizabeth, N.J., to Bethlehem, Pa., in search of something better. Better opportunities, a better education and a better future. At 14- years-old, I was angry at my parents for taking me away from the only life I knew, but more importantly, I was ungrateful because to me this didn’t feel like an opportunity, it felt like a setback. Like everything was falling apart. But at the same time I was amazed because over these last five years this district has given me opportunities I could have never imagined for myself.

“When Freedom offered me these opportunities, I embraced them wholeheartedly, but I know I was not alone in that journey. Together the Class of 2026 became a class that refused to take opportunities for granted, a class that learned how to recognize potential right in front of them, and over these last four years, gratitude has truly shined through my classmates.” Illescas recounted her own growing confidence while others stepped into the spotlight, winning record new Freddy performing arts and athletic competition awards.”

Grabbing at opportunity is a measure of overcoming fear, she said. “Maybe courage is not about being fearless; maybe it’s about simply saying ‘yes’ anyway, and it is that same courage that allows me to stand before you tonight as the proud daughter of immigrant parents, a first-generation American and an even prouder Hispanic woman.”

Of Nagy, Illescas said, “David gave us the opportunity to recognize the gift that life truly is. So as we leave here today, we must move forward with gratitude, not only for the opportunities we were given but for the courage it took to take them.”

Principal Laurie Sage spoke on behalf of parents who deserve gratitude and faculty members whom she quoted anonymously in recognition of students’ exemplary deeds or attitudes. One comment read, “I was very grateful for the grace and support this year’s senior class showed me when we lost one of our own teachers this year. Even though that week was difficult to get through, I will never forget how bonded I felt with them during our conversations in and out of the classroom. Some of them got me gifts or sent me emails. I was floored by the amount of compassion they showed me when it would have been understandable for them to focus on their own sense of loss.”

Superintendent Dr. Jack Silva, days away from retirement after more than 40 years in education, told the 400 graduates, “Tonight is about you and the world you are graduating into, and that future has many challenges. I have been so impressed watching you take your place at Freedom HS the past four years. Now, it’s time to take that experience and confidence into the world To take your place in the world is to realize that your individual identity is your greatest contribution to the collective. Please always be your authentic self. The world does not need more echoes; it needs your unique voice. Taking your place in the world is not a passive act … it’s an active, often uncomfortable and deeply necessary, claiming of the future. We live in an era where volume is often mistaken for authority and cruelty is mistaken for strength. We see a civic landscape fractured by tribalism.

“I plead with you to lead your life with civility. Patriotism is not found in shouting down or insulting those with whom we disagree, but the shared labor of building a better nation. Seek not to defeat your neighbor, but the elevation of the argument.” Silva concluded, “Our democracy does not require us to be identical, but it does require us to be decent.”