Boyertown Area Senior High Celebrates Class of 2025

by Expression Staff

Against a backdrop of pride, reflection, and celebration, the Boyertown Area Senior High School (BASH) Class of 2025 crossed the commencement stage Friday evening at Reading's Santander Arena, cheered on by hundreds of family members, friends, teachers, and administrators. It was a night marked by emotion, tradition, and powerful reminders of how far this class has come— and where they’re going next.

Among the 490 graduates were valedictorian Nolan J. John, salutatorian Jenna M. Christman, more than 100 high honors students, and numerous recipients of academic and service awards. School Superintendent Dr. Scott A. Davidheiser labeled them all “a very special group of young adults” and applauded their “curiosity and quest for knowledge, culture, experience, and connections.”

He was equally laudatory of the “unforgettable legacy” the graduates left through their philanthropic endeavors and other activities outside of the classroom. “Simply put, your empathy breeds compassion,” Davidheiser declared. He encouraged the graduates to share their stories, telling them, “Your story has helped shape and mold who you are, and it will continue to build community and allow others’ appreciation into your life.”

Superintendent Dr. Scott A. Davidheiser addressed the graduates, lauding their “curiosity and quest for knowledge, culture, experience, and connections,” and emphasizing that their “empathy breeds compassion.”

Graduates were welcomed by Principal Mr. Jared K. Sparks, followed by a moving invocation delivered by class treasurer Lula B. Mekonnen. “We ask for guidance and strength for the journey ahead,” Mekonnen said. “May each graduate move forward with passion in their hearts, purpose in their actions, perseverance through challenges, and joy in both the little and big moments.” A video montage then took the graduates down memory lane, revisiting moments from their years at BASH.

Following a performance of  the Beatles song, “In My Life,"  performed by the BASH Show Choir under the direction of choral director Mr. Jeffrey K. Brunner, and the class song, “When We Were Young,” by Adele, performed by seniors Emily J. Gates and Cassidy L. Nuss, the evening’s speakers took to the podium to mark the milestone.

The BASH Show Choir, under the direction of Mr. Jeffrey K. Brunner, performed “In My Life,” a reflective song by The Beatles.

Graduating seniors Emily J. Gates and Cassidy L. Nuss gave a stirring rendition of the class song, “When We Were Young” by Adele—an emotional high point that moved some audience members.

Salutatorian Jenna M. Christman, in a speech entitled “The Path Will Follow,” echoed this theme of finding meaning in the moment. “We have been conditioned to think constantly about the next step— college, careers, the future. But if we only look forward, we miss the value of now,” she said. “Every friend we meet, every choice we make, and every school we graduate from adds to who we are and who we will become.”

Salutatorian and class secretary Jenna M. Christman received her diploma from BASH Principal Mr. Jared K. Sparks. Christman encouraged her fellow graduates to live in the present, explaining that “if we only look forward, we miss the value of now.”

Commencement speaker McKenna M. Smith brought her unique voice and wit to the ceremony with her address “Not a Movie, but Still a Masterpiece.” Drawing parallels between the imagined high school lives of TV characters and the real-life experiences of her classmates, she recalled how expectations were often shaped by the media they consumed. “The Disney Channel taught us to solve emotional problems by bursting into song in the hallway. Marvel taught us that teenagers could save the world with superpowers. Netflix told us our friend group should be solving mysteries between classes,” she joked.

Yet, Smith emphasized, reality proved to be just as impactful as fiction. “High school wasn’t perfect, and we certainly didn’t have superpowers. But we did have real friendships, real heartbreaks, real moments of growth. And those are the things that matter,” she said. “This is our graduation episode— but it’s not the end. It’s just the season finale. We’re all dynamic characters, and our stories are just beginning.”

Commencement speaker McKenna M. Smith, pictured receiving her diploma, drew comparisons between high school and television, encouraging her fellow graduates to step forward into the “next season” of their lives as both the authors and directors of their stories.

As the more formal portion of the program drew to a close, Class President Kyra L. Neiswender addressed her classmates with a message titled “Dare to Fail.” She urged graduates not to let the fear of failure define their next steps. “We feared a bad test score, we feared rejection— but the thought of living with regret weighed heavier,” she said. “Now is the time to take bold steps, to try new things, and yes, to fall short sometimes. Because failure means you’re alive, you’re learning, and you’re growing.”

Neiswender also reminded her peers to express their appreciation to the people who had helped them along the way—family, teachers, coaches, and friends. “We would not be here tonight without those who believed in us, often before we believed in ourselves,” she acknowledged. “Don’t forget to thank them and surround yourself in the future with people who will keep doing that for you.”

Class President Kyra L. Neiswender challenged her classmates to “take bold steps, to try new things, and yes, to fall short sometimes. Because failure means you’re alive, you’re learning, and you’re growing.”

Diplomas were then presented by Dr. Davidheiser and Principal Sparks, assisted by class advisor Mr. Daniel T. Fries and senior class principal Mr. Ryan A. Venner. Smiling graduates walked across the commencement stage, cheered on by friends and family.

In many ways, the Class of 2025’s journey has been unlike any other. The students began kindergarten in the fall of 2012, as technological change was rapidly redefining all aspects of our society and lives. The COVID-19 pandemic upended their middle school years; the social justice movements of 2020 shaped their civic awareness. They leave high school not only with academic accomplishments, but with resilience forged by real-world challenges.

While acknowledging that life comes with no manual for overcoming such hurdles, Davidheiser reminded students of an essential guide within them. “There is no script, no set of directions, nor any real road map… But what we do have… is our own internal compass.” He challenged students to cultivate the intangible qualities that can’t be measured by test scores or awards, but are noticed in how they make others feel: kindness, respect, honesty, patience, selflessness.

Davidheiser also urged students to be thoughtful citizens and to “use the lessons learned in your classrooms to make the world a better place.” And, indeed, the 2025 graduates intend to pursue a wide range of futures.

One of the most symbolic moments of the evening was the Presentation of the Lamp of Knowledge, passed from Neiswender to Gianna B. Martin, president of the Class of 2026. The lamp signifies the passing of wisdom and responsibility from one class to the next. Ribbons in the colors of each graduating class are tied to the lamp.

Some are heading to Ivy League universities and other major national universities such as Penn State, New York University, and Virginia Tech. Others have chosen to remain closer to home to continue their studies at nearby schools such as Kutztown University, Reading Area Community College, and Villanova University. Yet others plan to pursue technical training, military service, or immediate employment.

As the Class of 2025 moved their tassels to the right and tossed their caps into the air, one final emblem of their unity stood out above the celebratory sea: the class flag. Designed by Sai Shraddha Manney, its sage green and dark green colors hung proudly in front of the ceremony stage as the graduates filed out of the arena to celebratory music provided by the BASH Concert Band  newly under the direction of  director Mr. Shawn Campopiano.

And with that, high school became a memory—beautiful, bittersweet, and the beginning of everything to come.

Watch for additional photos and graduation related videos in Sunday's edition of The Boyertown Area Expression.

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