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