Caroline Zelt found herself standing in about the same spot her father was more than 54 years ago at the podium during Bethel Park High School’s commencement.

Her father, Dr. Roger Zelt, an eye surgeon and 1972 salutatorian, sat in the stands and watched his daughter deliver a speech as valedictorian on June 4.

The graduate gave a shout-out to her family and referenced how they were very competitive at games, with the father not giving an inch.

“The fact that he never let us kids win growing up forces me to take this as an opportunity to finally say, ‘I beat you, Dad!” Caroline Zelt said to applause and laughter.

She went on to talk about how losses to her father prepared her for future challenges.

“My dad’s competitiveness allowed my brothers and I to understand that struggle was a crucial part of learning. And, ultimately, it was that struggle that made the breakthroughs so special,” said Caroline Zelt, who will continue her education at Grove City College.

The shout-out came after Caroline Zelt thanked teachers and administrators for their support, and how the other 330-plus students became a second family.

“It’s just very surreal,” she said after the ceremony. “I was very blessed to have this opportunity to speak to my students and be in a position where I’m able to share the wisdom that my dad passed along to me. Now I’m just feeling free and ready for the next chapter.”

The Zelts shared multiple embraces on the high school football field.

“My heart is full to see her up there,” Roger Zelt said. “It makes me so proud of her and so happy about the young woman she has become. She did not share her speech ahead of time, so we didn’t know what to expect.”

Other family moments

Several students had the opportunity to receive their diplomas from their parents, who are part of the district staff.

Third grade teacher Tracy Smith handed her son, Caden, his diploma.

High school counselor Kristen Michaels gave her daughter, Peyton Michaels, her diploma.

Jeremy Polosky got his diploma from Melissa Polosky, his mother and a high school social worker.

Cooper Kicinski reached out to his father, middle school math teacher Josh Kicinski, to shake hands. Instead, the proud papa moved in for a bear hug and picked him up before the pair posed for a photo.

“It’s pretty cool,” Cooper said of the experience. “It feels more special to get it from my dad.”

Kicinski said he had the pleasure of giving a diploma to his oldest son, Carter, in 2023; he has a few years to go before getting back on stage with his ninth-grade daughter, Gianna.

“It’s special because it’s unique,” Kicinski said. “Not everybody can do it. I feel that I am so honored that Bethel Park allows me to do this. It’s super rewarding because of hard work.”

Other speakers

Other commencement speakers talked about overcoming obstacles, the importance of maintaining good character, keeping an open mind and how the district prepared the seniors for life ahead.

They included retiring Superintendent James Walsh, new Superintendent Matthew Patterson, Principal Racquel Sutton and school board President Buffie Faes.

“Some of the most meaningful opportunities in life are ones we never saw coming,” Sutton said. “You do not need to have it all figured out here tonight. What matters is that you keep moving forward. Remain open to new possibilities, and trust yourself to figure things out along the way.”

Salutatorian Charlotte Gaston also stressed not stressing about life and its curveballs.

“Changing your mind is not failure,” she said. “Switching directions is not a setback. It just means you are paying attention and learning who you are.”

Guest speaker Marine Sgt. Hunter D. Sparkschance told students to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

“Every major step you take after today is probably going to feel uncomfortable at first,” he said. “College, the military, trades, jobs, relationships, leadership; none of it comes guaranteed that you’ll succeed immediately. That’s something no one really tells you growing up.

“People often see success, but they don’t see the uncomfortable moments.”

Sparkschance encouraged graduates to stay committed when things get tough and see challenges as opportunities. He also recognized veterans in the audience.

Sparkschance and Assistant Principal Keith Walters presented red, white and blue ropes and challenge coins to seniors who have committed to military service.

They are Xavier Kalfas, Andrey Kolev, Colin Finnegan, Benjamin Campbell, Tanner Kellgren and William Popoleo.

Senior class President Grace Perdziola delivered a farewell address about time being valuable and making the most of every minute.

Student Government Association President Joanne Little led the class in the turning of the tassels and cap toss.

Bethel Park’s Top 21 choir performed the national anthem and the alma mater.

The band performed “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Graduation was livestreamed. A video is posted to the Blackhawk TV YouTube channel.

Class of 2026

Ankith Acharya

Boyd P. Alspach

Lillyanna Alston

Ali Hayder Hazim Al Tekreeti

Maria Araujo

Ava Elizabeth Armstrong

Mario O. Askins

Allison Atchison

Gavin Baluh

Aaron Banks

Ryder Michael Barger

Gracie Barrett

Jack Carson Barzan

Alisa Basile

Zachary Bateman

Kyleigh R. Baux

Emma M. Bell

Tyler Benlock

Mark Bennett

Siera Bennett

Youssef Benrabia

Julia Bitkowski

Shayla R. Blair

Delaney Boes

Kathryn Boff

Lucy Marie Booth

Samuel Bostaph

Elliett Ann Briggs

Shayna Bruce

Michael Bruckner

Thomas Bruney

Charles Jackson Brush

Bryleigh Burke

Nathan Burke

Ryan Burns

Timothy J. Burt

John Busalacchi

Caden Busch

Caleb Matthew Bush

Jordan Alexia Campagna

Benjamin Campbell

Reece K. Campbell

Catherine Carberry

Jenna Carroll

Sophia Caruso

Laura Casaldi

Rylin Olivia Celento

Ava Cerro

Reed Robert Chapman

Lily Christian

Athena Clagett

Chayse Clement

Caden James Coates

Jacob Coffield

Gavin Daniel Coleman

Isabella Alexandra Coleman

Kaylie Conway

Madison Cook

Morgan Cook

Kai Wallace Corey

Elizabeth Corrins

Cara Cummings

Callee Joyce Dalbon

Harley Dale

Rowan Darr

Ayden Dawson

Anthony Derek Dayoub

Gavin DeClair

Camden Dedes

Ethan Delitto

Kylie DeMark

Dominic Demira

David Dennison III

Evan Michael Devine

Nathan Christian Dewar

Monyca Bella DiGennaro

Mia DiPaolo

Rocco Diulus

Maria Dixon

Anna Duguid

Ariel G. Dunworth

Angelina Calyn Eckley

Isabella Eckoff

Gavin Edkins

Quinn Aurora Eiseman

Peter Eliopoulos

Ryan Elphinstone

Nicholas Esposito

Eliana Rose Faber

Gianna Fannie

Ethan Andres Ferreyra

Colin William Finnegan

Declan James Finnegan

Amelia Marguerite Firek

Kiley Flanigan

Aida Fleck

Logan Flood

Fiorella De Los Angeles Flores Zambrano

Autumn Flowers

Elizabeth Fonda

Reese Fontanesi

Lucas Fowler

Tanner Friedberg

Charlotte Anne Gaston

Nathan George

Corey Gerber

Kay L. Glinski

Aiden Good

Samira R. Gorman

Mallory Lynn Gramm

Bryce Anthony Greco

Claire Greco

Arianna Emily Grippa

Kevin Grob

Ryan J. Grove

Luvanshi Gurung

Jude Francis Hamel

Jaice Hamilton

Sam Hanania Jr.

Lillie Kate I. Haner

Ferlinghetti Zephyr Harter-Hughes

Jack Hartman

Lacey Hartman

Jennifer Virginia Heh

Colin Jacob Heitzenrater

Jonathan Locke Hemphill

Kayla Christine Henley

Ayden J. Hoag

Emma Holmes

Jacklyn Homer

Ross Hopkins

Samuel John Hoppe

Jordan Layne Hosler Watson

Sophia Howrylak

Chelsea Hudak

Andrew Hughes

Matthew Hughes

Zachary Larry Hultz

Erik Husa

Diyorbek Islomov

Xavier Jackson

Sarah Elizabeth Jakel

Ashley Jankowski

Jack Janosik

Jedidiah Johnson

Keilen Jones

Layla Anne-Marie Jones

Megh Kadarya

Xavier Kalfas

Jacalyn Kalogeris

Misty Kane

Tanner Kareis

Tanner Kellgren

Nathan Kern

Aneem Khadka Chhetri

Cooper Kicinski

Rhegan Njeri Kimani

Jason Koerbel Jr.

Prajal Koirala

Andrey Kolev

Maden Konopka

Kevin Stephen Koval-Teamann

Cameron Krajci

Eleni Kretchun

Karley Kroll

Zakary Krzyzanowski

Kahanu’ola Hezekiah Huliau Kuewa

Alexis LaFlam

Jaden LaFlam

Adrianna LaGamba

Santino LaMolinare

Aidan Lane

Nina Lane

Jacob Lang

Nolan Laskovich

Jack Lester

Maya Vivian Lewis

Joanna Rose Little

Zhao Lin Lu

Hailey Elizabeth Luntz

Tracy Mach

Umid Mamed

Austin Mance

Alana A. Martinez

Lucy Evelyn Martin-Farmer

Madeline Masztak

Brady McCarthy

Brihanna McCray

Eli James McCullough

Claire McDonnell

Zoie Milani McDowell

Holly McGough

Bryan M. McGuire

Alaina McKain

Reese Mellinger

Peyton Michaels

Nolan Mikush

Landon Walker Miller

Zachary James Mingo Jr.

Halie Minor

George T. Misencik

Karsyn Karole Mitchell

Shayel Monger

Olivia Mooney

Skyler Moore

Connor Moorhead

Joseph Domenico Moreno

Ryder Mullen

Farah Namas

Rylee Nanni

Sarah Grace Neal

Mason Robert Neiport

Sadie Rae Nelson

Sharlyne Wambui Ngige

Josslyn Ann Nickell

Emily Jean O’Connell

Hendrix Odham

Dominic P. Odinski

Dominic Anthony Ollio

Caden O’Malley

Timothy J. Ondo

Makayla Jean O’Neill

Aaron R. Owen

Lucie Scout Edmundson Pacheco

Landon Panarello

Joshua David Pantin

Isabella Nicole Parker

Kaylin B. Pastor

Koleton Avery Patterson

Scotlyn Paxton

Grace Anne Perdziola

Reilly Lynn Perry

Kevin Peterson

Ophelia Petrocelly

Jaclyn Pivetz

Grace Plassio

Jeremy Polosky

William Popoleo

Casey Prindle

Mia Propcheck

Dylan Quinn

Margaret Rabb

Mia Rapali

Julia Ratti

Noah Rauch

Broghan Reeder

Edward Joseph Reick IV

Juan Carlos Reynoso

Daniel Richards

John Paul Richards

Nicholas Albert Rillo III

Courtney Lynn Roberts

Cecilia Gabrielle Romary

Natale Romito

Patrick Romito

Marley Rose

Keira Ross

Sean Michael Rovers

Luke T. Rubican

Elizabeth Anne Santelli

Joseph Robert Santelli

Kylie Sayre-Murphy

Ella Grace Schall

Noura Schiffbauer

Ashlyn Marie Schmidt

Julia P. Schumacher

Aubriana Dominique Sell

Caleigh Shannon

Gabrielle Shimkus

Giovanni Paolo Sigg

Wesley Mckee Silvio

Charles Edward Simmons V

Camden Smearman

Caden Smith

Jovian Smith

Riley Smith

Jay Snyder

Sofia Lynne Snyder

Wyatt Sodini

Brady Soltes

Anastasia Spano

Casimir Spano

Presley Spragg

Sinjin Stainbrook

Ashley Stasik

Jonah Michael Stearman

John Allen Steffes

Caelyn Stewart

Joshua Stewart

Mason Stewart

Tyler Stewart

Gavin Stoehr

Emily Stolpa

Abigail Kelly Stutzman

Jack Riley Sullivan

Reese A. Svoboda

Christian Tabler

Katharine Tabler

Rishta Thapa

Vivian Thieroff

William Thomas

Thomas James Thompson Jr.

Will Thompson

Blake Maddox Tillotson

Madison Emma Timms

Jonah Torres

Leah Tran

Owen Turoski

Madison Tygart

Julia Ursenbach

Peter Velisaris

Kuon Verbosky

Alexandra Vitvitsky

Colton Shawn Wahl

Ava Grace Waldbaum

Gregory Walker

Gabriella Walsh

Parker Walton

Dawn Warner

Savannah Waterman

Danica Kaylin Waugaman

Kaelyn Weber

Ayden Webster

Emma Whalen

Danielle Whitaker

Alexis Amanda Wiard

Sarah Wiernik

Emily Wiles

Ashlin Williams

Joseph Williams

Amor E’monnie Wilson

Carter Windham

Owen L. Winnowski

Nadia Martha Winowich

Arlo H. Yarroll

Olivia Yimin

Jonah Young

Marshall Walker Young

Caroline Rose Zelt