Newest Bellefonte alums begin next chapter of lives
By Nick Malawsky
- nmalawsk@centredaily.comThe ceremony: 6:30 p.m. at Rogers Stadium, moved indoors due to weather
CDT/Michelle Bixby
Graduates applaud after their principal, Anne Hutcheson gave a moving speech during the Bellefonte graduation ceremony Thursday, June 11, 2009. CDT/Michelle Bixby.
School: Bellefonte Area High School
Colors: Girls in white, boys in red
Number of graduates: 243
Valedictorian: Cole McClarren
What he said: “No matter what becomes of all of us, it is never impossible to be happy with our own lives. ... This day marks the beginning of the rest of our lives.”
Salutatorian: Cody Neshteruk
Pop culture reference: YouTube by Cole McClarren, where he went to research commencement speeches — “It was there I discovered that a good speech lasts between five and seven minutes.”
Musical reference: Jim Croche’s “Time in a Bottle” by Principal Anne Hutchenson.
Weather: Intermittent pouring rain outside, dry in the Red Raiders’ gymnasium, where the ceremony was moved. Commencement speaker: Principal Anne L. Hutcheson What she said: “I would ask each of you to go into the world with the knowledge that you will succeed. ... May you bring positive energy into the lives of others and I thank you for being you.”
What students will remember most about their time in high school:
“All the soccer games, especially the time we beat Central Mountain ... I think it was the first time we ever beat them” Ryan Baldwin
“Just having the chance to go to CPI (Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology) ... it’s the reason I’m going to college.” Donald Bathurst III
Loudest Applause: For all the graduates after the singing of the Alma Mater.
Cap toss: Included beach balls and silly string. Occurred after the conferral of degrees, but before the singing of the Alma Mater.
Notable speaker: Superintendent Dr. James T. Masullo Jr.
On the change of venue: “These ladies and gentlemen still look great, whether they’re inside or outside.”
Words of wisdom: “I hope your education at Bellefonte has taught you that knowledge and skills are not enough. It’s how you use that knowledge and skills.”
Tradition: Mugging poses for the camera as the graduates walked across the stage.
Academic achievement: Exactly 40 of the students graduated Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude or Summa Cum Laude, meaning they had met or exceeded an 93, 95 or 97 percent GPA.
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