Hats Off to Class of 2022
Car parade down Main Street precedes outdoor Commencement
Preceding Kutztown High School’s Class of 2022 Commencement, a car parade down Main Street celebrated the 126 graduates on May 26.
Class President Cooper Dunn opened the ceremony thanking all who have contributed to the development of this group of young men and women.
“When the senior class goes out into the world tonight as graduates, we will be able to say that you are the ones that prepared us to succeed,” said Dunn.
On behalf of the class officers, Dunn thanked the Class of 2022 for making the last 13 years of their education together a time to remember.
“I am just as proud of your resiliency during the worst of times as I am of your accomplishments during the best of times,” he said. “As you go out into the world, remember that an education is the most useful gift anyone will ever give you, even if it was sour at times.”
Dunn advised the graduates to above all, follow their hearts but let their minds do the driving.
Salutatorian Nicole Angelisanti, who received the John and Laila Silan Salutatorian Scholarship Award, paid tribute to their town, asking for a show of hands who is of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, owns a hex sign or ever been to the folk festival.
“Though I am not of Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, I recognize that these staples of our town represent the values of family, hard work and sacrifice,” said Angelisanti.
Again paying tribute to Kutztown, she spoke in Spanish thanking the Spanish speaking community for enriching her life with their language, culture and life. “You have been a great blessing to me.”
As an English as a Second Language tutor and server at La Cocina Mexicana restaurant, her global perspective was enhanced and she became aware of the experiences of non-native English speakers and immigrants from other countries. Though not of Hispanic heritage herself, she is thankful to know these experiences and live her life with an open mind.
To the Class of 2022, she said, “This evening, we are not only leaving with a diploma. We move forward with the opportunity to bring global change and peace in an ever changing and diversified world.”
Angelisanti told the class that no matter the issue, they need to facilitate discussion without personal offense while working toward progress, unification, equity and peace. She believes this graduating class has the ability to make a difference in the world.
“United tonight as the Class of 2022, I urge you to continue this energy as we work together to unite the world as one.”
Valedictorian Kelly Leiby, who received the Pastor and Mrs. Dennis Ritter Valedictorian Scholarship Award, shared a story of finding worms littering the sidewalks, uprooted from their homes from rain the previous night. On the walk home, most would be gone. While there were a couple of casualties, some sun-scorched victims or bird prey, the vast majority made it back unscathed to the grass.
“Like these worms, there are times when we feel lost or out of our element. It’s easy to feel helpless and scared about what the future will be,” said Leiby. “But those worms taught me something. I learned that if lined, limbless, slimy invertebrates could make it back to the grass, then so could I and we all can.”
No matter the struggle, they always will have their past experiences, their memories and their hard work and dedication to guide them.
“Over a decade ago, our biggest finish line was the 100-yard dash on field day. Now, we reach a new finish line and it’s one that marks the start of a new race and one that also brings so many opportunities,” said Leiby. “We got to this point together and we’ll have a whole list of things take with us.”
Leiby told the class to cure diseases, become the next American hero or international diplomat, travel and learn, create solutions to climate change, battle any injustices, help build and manufacture the things that make life livable and raise the next generation.
“Sure, we’ll stumble and fall, we’ll get lost and there will be points where it feels like you can’t get back up or find our way but just remember the worms,” said Leiby. “There’s an important difference between them and us. While being on that sidewalk could have killed them, being outside our comfort zone and trying new things only makes us stronger.”
Taking chances is the way we grow as people, she said.
“Most importantly, remember that you are not alone,” said Leiby. “Do not let your differences divide us. Life is so much easier when we help each other out.”
She encouraged the Class of 2022 to always keep moving through the good and the bad, never miss on opportunities, carpe diem everything, and appreciate every moment.
Commencement Speaker
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Dale G. Derr delivered the commencement address. A member of the Kutztown High Class of 1975, he was selected as the 2022 Distinguished Alumni of the Year.
Derr served as the state’s 23rd Judicial District Court Administrator (2001-2005) and as the Berks County Director of Veterans Affairs (2010 to 2019) where he was the benefits advisor for 23,000 military veterans and family members and 10,000 family survivors. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Prospectus Berco, a non-profit organization that supports people with developmental and physical disabilities in Berks County.
An accomplished athlete, he was nominated to the PA Chapter of the United States Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2020 and inducted into the Kutztown University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Kutztown Area School District Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.
“I do recognize that so many things have changed since my time in high school and your experiences, most notably your need to adapt to pandemic restrictions here at school and distance learning and so many reports of school tragedies across the nation like we’ve heard this week from Uvalde, Texas,” said Derr. “It all may weigh heavily on your minds and there may be more challenges in front of you, many that you just don’t deserve.”
He believes the graduates are prepared for the years ahead but also shared a few of his life lessons: to be excellent in all he does, to put his mission and purpose in life first before any personal gain, and to maintain his integrity always.
Offering advice, he said, “Be excellent in what you do. Global competition almost always demands it. Become your organization’s go-to person because of you positive personality and your talent and by your talent I mean your knowledge, skills and abilities to satisfy the vision, goals and objectives of your mission. Bring that catch fire to your organization. It will raise the level of performance by everyone around you.”
Build relationships. Build products. Build notoriety as an excellent farmer, trades person, technician or professional. Personal gain will come with respect within your profession or trade and community by placing service ahead yourself, he said.
Lastly, maintain your integrity always. Never ever lose your cool. Always present yourself professionally. Be prepared to compromise, not dominate. Be upstanding in your business, community and family, he said.
Concluding, Derr saluted those joining the military and shared his best wishes to the Class of 2022, for a life that is professionally rewarding and personally enjoyable.