JULY
1 2022
72 Graduate at Gowanda
Photo by Bill Peglowski Valedictorian Emma Christopher delivers her address during the Gowanda Class of 2022 graduation ceremony Friday at Hillis Field.
BY BILL PEGLOWSKI
GOWANDA — A beautiful summer evening was the backdrop for Gowanda High School’s 138th annual graduation ceremony Friday at Hillis Field with the bleachers filled to near capacity for the 72 members of the Class of 2022. Brief welcoming comments by high school principal Rebekah Moraites included reading comments from Superintendent Dr. Robert Anderson, who was unable to attend due to the graduation of one of his children in another school district. “Follow your passion in
life, treat others with respect and kindness and do what you can to make this a better place for all,” Anderson wrote in prepared comments. Seneca Nation Chief of Staff John Waterman, a school board member and Class of 1992 alumnus said standing at Hillis Field is special not because he was a board member, but because he is a Panther, the school mascot. “We are celebrating the start of something,” he said. “Panthers are among the most intelligent and agile of animals in the wild. They are tenacious about
going after what they set their eyes on… You are ready. You are Panthers.” Salutatorian Michele Jackson told her classmates she sees a group of resilient and dedicated students who would all go on to take on important roles in society, each in their own way. She urged the class to trust themselves regardless of what directions others might point out to them. “May we all go into the world as leaders,” Jackson added. “We live in an imperfect world and it is up to us, as the next generation, to ensure safety to the most vulnerable, healthcare to those in need and to help
those trapped in darkness.” Valedictorian Emma Christopher thanked her classmates for all the laughs, the tears and the unforgettable memories. Growing up in a small community like Gowanda, she said they had shared many mutual past experiences. Christopher passed on several ideas to her fellow graduates, telling them, “Listen to others and try to be as open-minded as possible;” “Be kind to yourself and others;” “Have confidence in yourself and your dreams;” “Please stand up for what is right and what you believe in” and “make your life a life you are happy to live.” Jared White, a member of the Class of 2011, described himself as a smalltown kid with a big heart. He said being good to people was easy after high school, and he gained many insights from all those he encountered along the way. “Legacy is not about money or recognition. Leave those that you encounter with additional happiness and hope,” White said. “Attract what you respect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect, mirror what you admire.” GRADUATES: Timothy Ackley Jr., Kaylee Baird, Daymein Beaver, Elizabeth Brooks, Maddox Browning, Kathryn Budziszewski, Cole Cartwright, Emma Christopher, Rachel Colantino, Zachary Conklin, Lillian Coughenour, Kyle Cygan, Mary Denea, Marc Dewey, Yisel Dominguez, Madi-
son Dubiel, Jordyn Farner, Hailey Fort, Keegan Fox, Noah Gieger, Sara Gernatt, Adam Golden, Hanna Green, Amy Haggart, Zachary Hammond, Dylan Harbison, Jesse Heintz, Lincoln Holocinski-Francis, Dommnick Hunt, Michele Jackson, Denali Jimerson, Caleb Johns, Miranda Kaminski, Seth Kaminski, Leon Klute, Michael Knowles, Marit Kuehne, Charlesa Le-Tran, Asia Lindgren, Alexandra Liszkiewicz, Zanthia Luciano, Logan Lukonaitis,
Keegan Maude, Emylia McHale, Cameron Merril, Dylan Milne, Mavi Montour, Laila Moon, Cameron Nagel, Autumn Nephew, Preston Niemeyer, Aaron North, Sarah Noyes, Gavin Phillips, Ethan Pierce, Amna Rafique, Daunte Reims, Richelis Ricotta, Abigail Rolon, Madison Rosier, Mason Ruff, Jonathan Smuda, Arley Sommers, Victoria Soroky, Kenneth Steklasa, Aailyah Stevens, Paige Szalay, Emma Taylor, Noah Vogtli, Matthew Waterman and Bryan Zynda.
Photo by Bill Peglowski Salutatorian Michele Jackson speaks during Gowanda Class of 2022 commencement Friday at Hillis Field.