Bryce Nowicki found it difficult to summarize four years at Baldwin High School in just two minutes.
That was the allotted time he was given for a graduation speech before about 340 of his peers, their families, friends and educators on June 3.
The senior said the hardest part was starting to write.
Through support from his mother and inspiration from a motivational speaker, the Whitehall Historical Society History Student of the Year and student school board representative talked about overcoming challenges, making adjustments and building relationships.
He also thanked the teachers for being guardrails on the road to success and encouraged his classmates to take the initiative and not be afraid to start something.
“My wish for all my fellow graduates is that your memories of high school are not defined by the textbooks we read, the notes we took or the tests we struggled through,” Nowicki said. “I hope that we all remember high school as a time when, throughout a four-year span, we developed the ability to reason, to empathize, to lead and to strengthen the community around us. Therefore, preparing us for life beyond these high school walls.”
Nowicki was one of several students who went to the podium at midfield in Highlanders Stadium and talked about overcoming obstacles.
Senior class president Jackson Presto went through his four favorite moments during his high school career, some of which were very humbling and teachable.
The first was falling in a couple of track races — a lesson about dealing with setbacks and how failure may lead to success.
The second moment was actually multiple: wrecking his car multiple times in the first year he had his license, and the forgiveness and support from his family.
The third moment was being voted most likely to succeed and most likely to be late for graduation.
Presto said that even the most successful people in the world have something to strive for and everyone should work to better themselves.
The fourth was he and his friends being covered in face paint sophomore year, cheering on the basketball team. Having fun while being supportive and no fear of embarrassment.
“A list of four is an awkward number,” Presto said. “That is because my list is unfinished, as are all of yours. So, enjoy more moments, learn more lessons and finish your lists.”
Student school board representative Abigail Horn talked about how school has taught students to be resilient and persevere as life plans change or even fall apart.
“If you never leap, never take a chance, your dreams will never have the possibility of becoming a reality,” she said. “Whether your next step is college, trade school, the military, the workforce or something you haven’t even discovered yet. None of us truly knows exactly where life will lead, and that’s OK. What matters is that we keep moving forward anyway.”
Distinguished graduate Zaynah El Maghrabi channeled Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” during her speech.
Written by Stevie Nicks, the song was crafted in the 1970s during an uncertain time in her career and personal relationships. Lyrics include “if you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills, well, the landslide will bring it down.”
Maghrabi said it really resonated with her.
“When I think about its closing lyrics, I think about when we can eventually look back on who we once were,” she said. “I hope that we’ll see every challenge, every goodbye and every moment that forced us to keep moving forward and still chose to continue exploring who we are capable of becoming.”
Other commencement moments
Students and staff were led onto the field by Jim and Jeff Agnew on the Great Highlander bagpipes.
The young women were in white caps and gowns and the young men in purple.
The high school Baldwinaires, under the direction of Kris Tranter, performed the national anthem.
The high school orchestra, under the direction of Emery Palmer, performed the processional and a medley of military tunes honoring those who serve or have served in the U.S. armed forces. Veterans in the audience were encouraged to stand once their branch’s song played.
Superintendent Randal Lutz welcomed students and commencement attendees.
He talked about how some students have been with the district since elementary school, while others arrived at different grade levels, from different districts and even other countries.
“Your paths to the field tonight have been remarkably different,” Lutz said. “Different neighborhoods, experiences, challenges and stories. Yet, you stand here together. Not as students from different places. Not as students who arrived at different times, but as members of the Baldwin High School class of 2026.
“Tonight, your individual journeys become part of a shared story. While tonight is a celebration of your accomplishments, it is also a reminder that none of us reach moments like this alone.”
Lutz recognized the school board, administration, faculty and staff. He went on to talk about parents, grandparents, coaches, friends and others.
Lutz said the diplomas may have an individual’s name, but the accomplishment belongs to a community that invested in their success.
School board president Amanda Priano told seniors the most important thing is to hold on to their humanity in a world that often rewards speed, competition and achievement. She also reminded graduates to be grateful for everyone who sacrificed and believed in them.
“Years from now, people may not remember your GPA or your class rank, but they will remember your kindness,” Priano said. “They will remember whether you treated others with dignity. They will remember whether you showed compassion, integrity and empathy when it mattered most.”
High school co-principal Brandon Whitfield echoed Lutz and Priano’s comments during his speech.
He and co-principal John Saras assisted with diploma distribution by reading the students’ names.
The district nearly honored an unexpected guest: a deer attempted to get onto the field through the fence by the scoreboard. A pair of administrators responded to the animal and directed it around the outside of the fence. No one was allowed onto the field without a cap and gown or credentials.
The high school choirs performed the alma mater. Graduates made their way off the field and into the gym for their actual paperwork and some final moments with friends and faculty.
Nowicki said it was an honor to be a student speaker and everything he said was from the heart.
“The one thing I can say I will take away is the relationships I’ve built with everybody,” he said. “It’s truly a wonderful experience being able to grow with such a great group of people. I will be forever grateful for that.”
Graduates McKinley Beech and Tanner Zalar met with high school social studies teacher Natalie Kohnfelder before taking off with their families.
Beech is headed to Slippery Rock University, while Zalar is headed to the Army.
“It feels great to graduate, especially with my friends,” Zalar said. “I loved it. I was a little nervous until I got down there (on the field). It was fun being with everyone. You’re filled with pride. It’s a really good feeling. I’m glad to move on. I’m excited to see where my life takes me.”
The ceremony was livestreamed on the district’s Facebook page. The video was posted to YouTube.
Class of 2026
Pujan Acharya
Sadaf Ahmadzai
Uzziel Akoussan
Trey Alario
Matthew Allgeier
Michael Amato
Kaleb Arnold
Mitchell Atieno
John Ball
Jelena Banovic
Nirmala Baral
Taylor Barnes
Aiden Barrett
Rosemary Becker
Noah Beebout
McKinleyBeech
Ethan Bell
Morgan Bentz
Laci Bernotas
Ramesh Bhandari
Rhythm Bhattarai
Prapti Bhujel
Reeya Bista
Samipa Bista
Reshma Biswa
Aliya Blount
Ava Boehm
Mackenzie Bowen
Cameron Boyce
Dylan Brandt
Isabella Breinig
Parraish Brinson
Vincen Broccoli
Jacob Brown
Ryan Brown
Erianna Burnsworth
Nathan Buys
Kelly Campion
Ava Caporali
Alexander Castaneda
Layla Castleberry
Niyubuntu Chadella
Diksha Chhetri
Kadreena Chhetri
Pratima Chhetri
Marisa Chiappino
Michael Coates
Gianna Colondrea
Sophia Colwell
Tamar Conner
Braymere Conrad
Emaline Cready
Zachary Czapko
Bepasha Darjee
Amillian David
Hannah Davidson
Ella Dedes
Mack Dempsey
Matteo Di Cesare
Tyler Dingus
Xander Dirling
Andre Diven
Chloe Dodds
Christopher Dodge
Blane Donnelly
Logan Douglas
Carly Dowhy
Adam Drischler
Mu’zeek Ducasse
Da’vion Dume
Lukas Dunsey
Jocelyn Eddy
Zaynah EL Maghrabi
Shalina Ghimirey
Steven Evanitz
Emma Farabaugh
Ava Faust
Naomi Ferkett
Nya Fernandez
Evan Ferrari
Brielle Fisher
Peyton Fitzpatrick
Cayleigh Fitzurka
Brody Flinn
Kirsten Fohr
Hayden Fox
Luke Frankovitch
Ava Frantz
Ryan Frederick
Caleb Fruscello
Trey Furrick
Dylan Gamble
Ryan Gannon
Jordan Gerendash
Shumit Ghalley
Sushant Ghalley
Diwas Ghimirey
Swastika Ghimirey
Mal’uan Glover
Laila Goe
Molly Gorman
Madeline Grattan
Brayden Gremba
TaHaera Griffin
Katherine Gruendler
Ryan Grunwald
Ashmita Guragai
Rojal Gurung
Ruby Hackel
Zachary Haley
Sahar Halimi
Anne Hampton
Linlin Han
Mark Hanlon
Aiden Harris
Haley Hartman
Dalila Hebib
Ethan Helbling
Demetrius Henry
Avery Herrington
Abigail Hirt
Addison Hirt
Daytona Hissong
Caleb Holden
Madelynn Holmes
Abigail Horn
Taylor Hucic
Zakary Hudson
Max Hummel
Alexius Humphrey
Zoe Hupp
Nicholas Huschak
Izabella Indino
Luiza Islamov
Alexandra Iwaniuk
Julia Jackson
Emma Joyce
Brianna Kalogeris
Aawaj Karki
Musenge Kasuba
Biraj Katel
Madalin-Ann Keane
Violet Kearney
Alex Kelly
Samantha Kelly
Averee Kenny
Blake Kessler
Aurpan Khadka
Arsita Khatiwada
Davlatjon Khudaykulov
Maris Kilby
Jacey Klingensmith
Kane Knerr
Danika Konvalinka
Malak Kori
Keira Kozak
Isabella Kreigline
Austin Kruszewski
Brayden Kuch
Julia Laduuk
Nishma Lamichhane
Saint Langinmej
Rhianna Lavelle
Brooke Leary t’
Allison Lease
Dylan Leonhardt
Leland Lepperd
Alayna Lewis
Mason Lewis
Emily Lex
Zachary Lieu
Mekhi Lowry
Jacob Luttringer
Chelsea Luxemburger
Talia Machajewski
Gleb Macovei
Nico Macurak
Sandesh Magar
Rachael Mahic
Asad Mahmood
Ben Majcher
Elijah Manley
Leon Maracic
Akriti Marak
Richard Marilla
Julian Marshall
Max Marzina
Gavin McArdle
Kaitlyn McGeever
Leah McKee
Jacob Meares
Josephine Mickolay
Jordan Minor
Lydia Mizer
Abigail Mohring
Brayden Morefield
Noah Morelli
Jaylinn Morgart
Devyn Morris
Jordan Morris
Megan Murphy
Alexander Myers
Madeline Nairn
Aidan Nelson
Isabella Niles
Bryce Nowicki
Giano Nuovo
Katelyn Nyalka
Choun Nyane
Olivia O’Malley
Taye O’Toole
Daeff Ocnisse
Cali Olah
Jacyn Olella
Morgan Opferman
Julianne Ott
Lucas Ovitsky
Van-Ess Owusu
Olivia Page
Jada Palmer
Tobi Palmieri
Braydon Parker
Michael Patterson
Grace Peebles
Makaylah Perri
Shane Perry
Anne Peterson
Sarah Petrovich
Nikita Petruk
Jakob Phillips
Jonathan Pickell
Matilda Pierre-Paul
Tony Pinkerton
Anna Plunkett
Bibi Marwa Popalzai
Bibi Safa Popalzai
Nicholai Porol
Emma Powell
Jackson Presto
Bea Quallich
Dylaney Quinten
Bimal Rai
Soni Rai
Olivia Rau
Kathryn Raynes
Gavin Recker
Lily Renzi
Gianna Rhad
Gavin Ries
Lilyanna Rock
Rowyn Rynearson
Noah Saccani
Gavin Sakely
Agnes Salako
Laeth Salih
Kendall Santilla
Ayse Sari
Christal Say
Eh Ler Say
Mark Schanck
Caleb Scheller
Aida Schmezer
Michael Schoeb
Madalyn Schumacher
Allyson Schwab
Ella Schwarzmiller
Lilly Schwarz
Addison Scurry
Ella Scurry
Brandon Seitzinger
Julia Seng
Pragati Shahi
John Shandor
Kritanjali Sharma
Sejal Sharma
Jadyn Shatzer
Avarie Shawley
Olivia Shellman
Phurba Sherpa
Amore Shockley
Mustafa Shure
Callie Siefert
Vivien Skalos
Ashley Skowronski
Lukas Sleeman
Carter Smeal
Lauren Smith
Caleb Spinnenweber
Eethan Spriggs
Sean Stanley
Joshua Staudt
Allura Stephenson
Jewell Stevens
John Steverson
Aiden Stockley
Jovana Stojanovic
Mackenzie Stout
Kesab Subedi
Rusel Subedi
Haya Suhail
Hayden Swanson
Keagan Szegedy
Evan Szpara
Sujan Tamang
Supriya Tamang
Reese Temme
Luke Thompson
William Thurman
Reshma Timsina
Karun Tiwari
Cassidy Tortoreti
Talan Trimbur
Trent Turzak
Anusha Umarova
Emma Underwood
Milana Valente
Milana Varon
Justine Vukelich
Mariah Wallace
Alexander Weber
Juliana Weiss
Helaine White
Lucas Wiatrowski
Shyauna Wible
Sol Wiedor
Rebecca Wilds
Emma Wisniowski
Mandy Wojtowicz
Molly Wojtowicz
Felicia Wood
Mia Wyse
Josephine Wysocki
Tanner Zalar
Hongsen Zhao
Cameron Zulka