History-making Bald Eagle Area Class of 2020 known for strength during difficult times

Senior year has been full of surprises for the Bald Eagle Area School District Class of 2020. Some have been better than others, like last week when district officials announced that an in-person graduation ceremony would replace a drive-in event previously planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Made possible by Centre County entering the “green phase” of reopening, the ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at Alumni Stadium. In addition to their caps and gowns, graduates will be donning matching face masks with BEA’s emblem.

What’s a cherished memory from the Class of 2020?

Luke Wilson, class president: Our football team’s success in the postseason stands out as a cherished memory for many in our class. After winning the District 6 title last year, our football team repeated that victory this season and advanced further into the state playoffs than any team in Bald Eagle Area history. For a team packed with contributing seniors, this will certainly prove an invaluable memory to not just the players, but also to fans, cheerleaders and members of the marching band. Football games are unique because of the excitement they generate, and those of us who were there to support the team during every game will certainly remember the experience just as fondly as the players.

What makes the class of 2020 special?

Renae Butler, language arts teacher/senior class adviser, Bald Eagle Area’s Class of 2020 is resilient, considerate and intelligent. They have endured this year’s pandemic by being flexible with online classwork and with changes made to their senior year activities. They are caring and strong enough to get jobs to financially help their families at this crucial time and in volunteering to hand out food boxes at local distribution centers. They are intelligent, not just in an educational capacity, but in their everyday decisions and plans for the future. They may become nurses, engineers, tradesmen, or maybe even elite athletes. No matter what the future holds for this class, they will always have a common thread that brings them together as a special addition to BEA’s alumni.

Honors

Valedictorian: Luke Wilson

Salutatorian: Emily Shiels

Bald Eagle Area Class of 2020

Samantha Marie Arens-Ennis

Trenton Edward Auman

Madelyn Jean Bailey

Lacee Mae Barnhart

Harley Anne Bartley

Zachery Ethan Beck

Kaden Michael Bittinger

Julia Elizabeth Bloom

Austin Dale Bomboy

Colin Lee Boone

Skylar Harley Bradley

Elita Marie Brown

Stephanie Michelle Bulgarelli

Asher Brynn Burkett

Caleb Allen Burns

Caleb Walter Cain

Maralee Ranae Caldana

Holden Rockwell Carper

Jasmine Elizabeth Cerritos

Kiefer Logan Charnick

Haylee Nicole Clegg

Nolan Alexander Climent

David Nicholas Close

Tessa Danielle Comly

Allison Marie Cowan

Constance Josephine Cowher

Garrett Daniel Crestani

Meckenzie Dawn Decker

Sophia Marie Dimitratos

Rylie F. Dubbs

Hunter Cole Dumond-Hatton

Timothy Walter Durachko

Blaine Walter Egan

Weston Joseph Eppley

Bridget Elaine Esenwine

Lauren Elizabeth Fisher

Madison Marie Fisher

Jeffrey David Fry, II

Donovan Michael Fye

Clayton Douglas Gamber

Caili Jane Gheen

Amber Lynn Graham

Ian Gene Haagen

Macey Kiera Hahn

Cameron Shaye Haines

Bailey William Hall

Zachary Bryan Hall

Robert C. Hegedus, III

Dylan Floyd Hess

Tyler William Hilgar

Justin Kenneth Hockenberry

Haley Dawn Hoover

Nathan Ronald Hoover

Maura Elaine Horner

Grace Kathleen Hugar

Madison B. Jodon

Joshua Lee Johnson, Jr.

Leo James Johnson

Rex Alan Johnson, Jr.

Sydney Mae Johnson

Jaden Dawson Jones

Lindsey Hope Julian

Devin Scott Kibe

Taylor Leigh Kilmer

Artic Haze Kitchen

Drew Matthew Koleno

Michael Scott Lefebvre, Jr.

David Allen Loesch, Jr.

Joshua Ryan Lucas

Morgan Louise Lucas

Bridget J. Lutz

Jesse Raymond May

Nicholas Charles Maynard

Madisyn Rasama McAfee

Nicholas Louis McClellan

Gage William McClenahan

George Allan McGonigal

Zoey Lane McHenry

Michael Allen McKay

Abigail Ann Michael

Paige Marie Murgas

Tanisha Carrie Myers

Jasa Shea O ́Neill

Alyssa Belle Packer

Kylen N. Patches

Zayda Tiara Phillips

Addison Rebecca Proctor

Colton Scott Reese

Matthew James Reese

Michael Owen Repasky

Lindsey Nicole Reynolds

Colby James Richner

Logan Daniel Rider

Colton Adam Rigg

Derrick Allen Ripka

Dylan Lee Roberts

Conner Richard Steven Robinson

Madison Grace Rockey

Connor Michael Rossman

Ellissa Dawn Russell

Shane Dalton Seeger

Sianna Joyce Selfridge

Emily Catherine Shiels

Ashlyn R. Smith

Breanna LaShay Smith

Cameron Richard Smith

Max Robert Snyder

Thomas Edward Snyder, Jr.

Jenna Nicole Steffey

Devin Lee Summers

Madison Leigh Surovec

Sierra Harley Surovec

Nicholas Nathaniel Townsend

Samantha Elizabeth Trigg

Samantha Ann Uhler

Peter Joseph Van Cise

Emma Lynn Walk

Jakob Chandler Walters

Nikita Marie Weaver

Danae Marie Welker

Zachary Craig Wible

Luke Andrew Wilson

Colton Richard Wolfe

Katie Sue Yearick

Benjamin Martin Yetsko

Christopher William Yoder, Jr.

Devin James Zimmerman

This story was originally published June 5, 2020 at 7:00 AM.