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‘Stepping into a new chapter’

Published June 16. 2026 02:51PM
by Lani Goins Special to the Bethlehem Press

“Time” was the theme of the Saucon Valley HS graduation ceremony June 5 at the district stadium. Speakers included Supt. Jamie Vlasty, valedictorian Stephan Goudsouzian, salutatorian Nitya Thakkar and senior class officers.

When the 129th Saucon Valley senior class entered the field, its members remained standing and turned toward the stands for several minutes.

After senior class members took their seats, class president Kamryn Crookham addressed classmates, families and friends.

“We spend so much time chasing milestones, speeding through parts of a story we would like to reread,” Crookman said. “We are stepping into a new chapter today. Life is lived, and memories are made in the small ordinary moments. Slow down.”

Valedictorian Stephan Goudsouzian spoke of a YouTube series he had watched in which people of various ages were asked about their regrets.

“The oldest people interviewed had no regrets,” he said. “They refused to let mistakes define them. Take chances; make mistakes.”

Salutatorian Nitya Thakkar told his classmates, “The distance between who we are and who we become is ‘Yes.’”

Ellie Haram, SVHS, announced the names of various award winners, including the top 10 percent of the class, and students entering military service after graduation.

The choir, along with its senior class members in their caps and gowns, performed “Homeward Bound.”

Martin Bowers, SGA co-president, asked members of the class of 1976 to stand. Then for all who had graduated from SVHS to stand as well.

Supt. Jamie Vlasty shared thoughts on the “Time” theme of the evening.

“Our biggest mistake is thinking we have time,’” she said. “The most valuable thing you possess is time. Congratulations, graduates, your time is now.”

Faculty speaker Jeremy Kitack has been an AP History and Physics teacher at SVHS for 18 years. “Tomorrow, you will get to open your story to page one, and begin again,” he told the graduates.

Kristen Lucheck, SGA vice-president, reminded the graduates, “The one thing bringing us together is Saucon Valley.”

Once diplomas were distributed, the recessional began as the choir performed the Saucon Valley Alma Mater.

PRESS PHOTOS BY LORI PATRICKSaucon Valley HS graduates walk off the stadium field with the praise of school officials and faculty while taking their first steps into the next chapter of life.
It’s a Hip Hip Hooray moment for Olivia, Tesia, Julia and Marin as they raise their flowers leaving behind so many memories through their years in the Saucon Valley School District.
Saucon Valley HS Valedictorian Stepan Goudsouzian delivers a commencement speech focusing on memories and what the future holds for the Class of 2006. Stepan will attend Princeton University to study environmental engineering.
Students selected Jeremy Kitteck as their featured faculty speaker. He used his love of reading as his focus. “You get to open to page one and begin again,” he said. “Great books aren’t defined by perfect beginnings, they’re defined by what happens after page one.”