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The Sentinel is pleased to provide this special Graduation edition that celebrates the 2026 high school graduates from our region. We realize that graduation is a special and often bittersweet time for students as well as their parents, grandparents and friends. It’s a time of change and growth, with some graduates staying here in Miffin or Juniata County, while others may leave the area permanently. But for all grads from Greenwood to Mount Union and everywhere in-between, you can always call the Juniata Valley your home. We thank everyone who has made the pages of The Sentinel their scrapbook of student achievements, and we wish all local graduates a hearty “Congratulations!”
INDEX OF SCHOOLS
LEWISTOWN — Miffin
County High School will hold its commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. May
29 at Donald M. Chapman III Stadium with a rain date of 6 p.m. May 30.
Kaidense Conner Honor Graduate Madison Litzinger Honor Graduate
Gabriela Erb Honor Graduate
McCLURE — Miffin County Christian Academy will hold its commencement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4 at Strodes Mills Baptist Church. Graduates include: Paiton Fultz
Isaac Gentzel
Rosalyn Davis Honor Graduate
Kelsey Marks Honor Graduate
Brandon Kauffman Honor Graduate
Grant Barger Honor Graduate
Riley Hostetler Honor Graduate
Emily Goldenbaum Honor Graduate
Sage Miller Honor Graduate
Bradyn Henry Honor Graduate Easton Zook Honor Graduate
Paiton Fultz Honor Graduate
Isaac Gentzel Honor Graduatew
BELLEVILLE —
Belleville Christian School will hold its baccalaureate service at 7 p.m. May 21 at Locust Grove Mennonite Church. The speaker will be Bob Zook. Commencement will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27 at the school. Saneliso Vilakati will deliver the commencement address.
Graduates include:
Joseph Gagliardo
Dakota Gibbons
Logan Lantz
Samuel Miriello
Bryson Peachey
Elaina Peachey
Angelina Weaver
Lillian Yoder
MIFFLINTOWN —
Juniata High School’s annual Senior Awards Night will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, in the Juniata High School auditorium. Commencement will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, May 29, on the Juniata High School athletic feld, weather permitting, or in the high school auditorium. The prelude by the high school band, under the direction of Bradley Eargle, will be followed by the class processional march and the ceremony will begin with the Invocation by senior Alivia Auker. She will be followed by Principal Kelli Strawser with the welcome. The Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Class Salutatorian will be introduced by Vice Principal Matthew Trotman.
Superintendent Christie Holderman will present the Class of 2026. Accepting the Class will be Jackson Albert, president of the Board of School Directors; diplomas will then be awarded by Strawser and Trotman.
Class President Hope Kehler will accept the diplomas along with the graduating seniors who include:
Axel Acosta-Elvir
Faith Allen
Lillian Allen
Lauren Ames
Kenneth Arbogast III
Alivia Auker
Alyssa Baranello
Camden Bargo
Gabriel Batt
Levi Baumgardner
Jayden Beachel
Drew Bennett
Zebulon Berry
Erick Betancourt
Thea Beward
Isabella Bonilla
Elliatt Brown
Kalynn Brown
Deziree Brubaker
Gabriel Burns
Carlos Castellanos-Torres
Cristian Chavez Pineda
Connor Coder
Jerry Cordova
Gretchen Dessin
Braydon Dickinson
Elsa Digon
Hannah Ehrisman
Hayden Erhard
Marissa Erhard
Danielle espitia
Ty Fahnestock
Connor Foltz
Jacob Foltz
Joshua Forshey
Kierra Foster
Zoey Fowler
Emerson Freed
Tiffany Fry
Ana Garcia Villar
Mallory Garver
Landon Gibbons
Hannah Graybill
Ricardo Guante
Ayvry Guyer
Miley Hack
Elijah Harlow
Seth Hart
Aiden Hatos
Arthur Hazard
Ilani Hernandez
Shylynn Hile
Mollee Hockenberry
Zan Hockenberry
Destiny Hoffman
Kenzie Hosler
Zayden huff
Blaine Imes
Garrett Imes
Morgan Imes
Collin Jones
Miley Jones
Hope Kehler
Daylyn Kennedy
Kathleen Kinsloe
Leni Kopf
Mylee Landis
Conrad Long
Maya Long
Daniel Lopez
Anthony Maradiaga
Joshua Martin
Cole McGill
Alessandro Mendoza
Zachary Miller
Daulton Misal
Ester Montesinos
Sonia Montesinos Ortiz
Alivia Rice Honor Graduate
Addison Rutherford Honor Graduate
Yetzubeli Montoya
Tania Moya Garcia
Garrett Nealman
Jadon Nealman
Carson Nipple
Bradley Noble
Jace Paden
Khaya Palm
Cassi Parson
Sofa Pinto Poblete
Ashley Piper
Fabian Plesce
Jacee Price
Nicholas Reed
Grace Reinhold
Nathan Reisinger
Lacie Rhea
Olivia Rhea
Tyler Rhine
Alivia Rice
Elijah Richards
Miguel Rivera
Jose Rosario Aponte
Colten Rowles
Wyatt Rowles
Addison Rutherford
Quinten Sager
Gaia Scarlata
Conner Schlegel
Christian Servellon-Lopez
Wyatt Shellenberger
Jasper Shepps
Julian Skirk
Ryder Smith
Sophia Smith Lane Snook
Kendra Spade-Yohn
Sarah Torres Mejia
Braeden Varner
Kiersten Varner
Braedon Walton
Gable Weaver
Kendra Weiand
Mariska Whitesel
Kathleen Williams
Ariana Wyland
Ashley Yohn
Kalynn Brown Honor Graduate Jasper Shepps Honor Graduate
Juniata Christian School held its commencement ceremony at 7 p.m.
Thursday, May 21, 2026 at Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church. No tickets are required.
The Class of 2026 includes:
Natalie Grace HoffmanSalutatorian
Troy Ellis HooverHistorian
Levi Timothy McCommonsValedictorian
William Hunter Shafferman
Elijah Jerasiah Steven
Wyatt Archer Stutzman
Elise Kayann Yoder
Natalie Hoffman Salutatorian
Levi McCommons Valedictorian
Troy Hoover Historian
Hunter Shafferman Honor Graduate
Wyatt Stutzman Honor Graduate
Elise Yoder Honor Graduate
McALISTERVILLE —
East Juniata High School
will hold Class night at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 in the high school auditorium. A baccalaureate service organized by the Class of 2026 will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, May 24 at the Niemonds Independent Church. Commence-
ment will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 28 in the high school auditorium. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Those with tickets to the ceremony will be seated frst. Graduates include:
Thaddaeus Auker
Nova Bassler
Kelton Bonnell
Wyatt Burdge
Nathan Carolus
Brayant Carrasquillo Jr
Landon Clayton
Hayden Cook
Makyla Coudriet
Landyn Cramer
Addison Dimm
Aiden Dressler
Carolyn Dressler
Ian Dressler
Kadynce Dressler
Kamerin Duffy
Adelie Fisher
Addison French
Kayla Gelnett
Emily Goodling
Hope Goodling
Lily Goodling
Melinda Goodling
Garrett Graybill
MIDDLEBURG
— Midd-
West High School will hold its commencement ceremony at 6 p.m. May 29 at the high school stadium. In the case of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held in the Midd-West Middle School gymnasium. The Class of 2026 includes:
Evelyn Alas Martinez
Gage Amey
Justin Amspacker
Justin Andujar
Alyssa Aucker
Gavin Aucker
Sage Aucker
Maura Aurand
Kinzee Batdorf
Coltyn Bickel
Ethan Bobb
Olivia Boritz
Chloe Boyer
Alivia Brininger
Brayden Brouse
Tegan Brower
Kylie Brown
Austin Brubaker
Aydan Camp
Kaitlyn Campbell
D’Zani Coley
Calley Cook
Grace Corkle
Bren Crossgrove
Austin Cummings
Elizabeth Davidson
Madison DeLong
Nolan DeLong
James Devine
Gabriel Dively
Finn Dressler
Addyson Druckemiller
Blaze Epley
Henry Erdley
Alivia Fike
Joseph Gabel
Adyson Gennaria
Lathan Good
Morgan Haines
Ian Hall
Eliana Hartley
Quentin Hartley
Landon Hartman
Chloe Hartnett
Vanessa Hartnett
Torin Heimbach
Devin Heintzelman
Chase Hendricks
Kylie Herrold
Carson Hill
Shaleea Hockenberry
Forest Hoffman
Brianna Hohman
Kace Hollenbach
Logan Hollenbach
Tyler Hollenbach
Shyanne Hoskie
Garrett Hostetler
Weston Hostetler
Samuel Hostler
Matthew Hunsberger
MILLERSTOWN — The commencement ceremo-
ny or Greenwood High
School will be held at 7 p.m. May 29 at Dar Roush Memorial Field.
Mattison Adami
Aaron Adlon
Jacob Anderson
Jesse Bates
Jonathan Beachel
Brayden Beneito
Colton Benner
Mason Broadbent
Kameron Burch
Madelyn Causer
Anthony Cuccia
Celia Debieve
Tazalina Dietz
Lexie Dudley
Aaron Duffy
Kacy Fegley
Evan Gates
Blake Harper
Caroline Hartley
Malaila Hommes
Lillyan Kessler
Bennet Knisely
Peyton Kramer
Kymberley LaMora
Lydia Lower
Faith Luring
Rebecca Markel
Abigail Marks
Bronson Moyer
Marshall Newby
Gavin Oburn
Grace Peters
Aidan Preston
Keegan Ross
Delaney Johnson
Gavin Johnson
Samuel Jordan
Sydney Jordan
Kalyna Kepner
Taner Kerstetter
Lilly Kimball
Grace Kirk
Luke Knepp
Mason Krebs
Keaton Kreider
Westin Kuhns
Kasey Leitzel
Joshua Long
Peter Loss
Ava Maneval
Rowen Martin
Kyle McCarthy
Summer Meyer
Brady Moyer
Wyatt Nelson
Avori Orwan
Eva Paige
Jaxon Paige
Charles Paige, III
Zachary Rahm
Conner Rowe
Parker Rowe
Evangeline Saldana
Brennon Sample
Angela Sankey
Cali Sauer
Asia Seibel
Chase Shattuck
Kyle Shupp
Ashlynn Smith
Blake Smith
Braxton Smith
Steve Spigelmeyer, III
Caden Stauffer
Mason Stewart
Connor Stoltzfus
Juliana Stoltzfus
Nathan Straub
Olivia Stroup
Brody Stuck
Madison Swineford
Aidan Temples
Maci Tittle
Gracie Trawitz
Analeena Treaster
Gannon Treaster
Alexis Troup
Elisa Troutman
Cassi Ulmer
Emma Wagner
Gracie Wagner
Kady Wagner
Madison Wagner
Noah Wagner
Zoe Wagner
Allison Walter
Isabelle Walter
Grace Wanner
Jayden White
Olivia Willow
Hayden Wray
Jocelyn Young
Payton Zechman
Hailey Sarver
Maura Sarver
Dakota Scattergood
Levi Schoonover
Sebastian Sieber
Trey Troutman
Dalton Trude
Kamryn Walton
Madeline Warner
Chase Weiand
Larkin Whitely
Holden Willow
Zoey Wilson
Julianna Wise
Dylan Womer
Dalton Wright
Logan Young
Danica Zurenko
MOUNT UNION —
Mount Union Area High
School held its commencement ceremony
Friday, May 22.
Graduates include:
Dominic Alesi
Tarah Arnold
Micah Atherton
Jaleigh Barben
Kamden Beatty
Kara Benson
Lillian Bookheimer
Nicholas Bowers
Zariyah Bowie-Worrell
Jaylin Brown
Aspen Brumbaugh
London Brumbaugh
Jaylynn Cassett
Jacob Cooper
Sydney Corbin
Jacob Creitz
Karma Devore
Keira Dimoff
Kendall Dissinger
Xain Duguay
Kendra Estep
Caden Feather
Nathan Fisher
Garrett Gerholt
Julianne Hancock
Sydnee Harris
Catie Hartman
Genesis Henry
Jacik Hess
Lilyana Hicks
Tenly Huffnagle
Oscar James
Gracelyn Kane
Sarah Keiser
Avin Knable
Jerzey LaPlant
Rocco Loner
Kaylin Madilia
Aubrianna McCartney
Rowan McClain-Hartman
Savanna McMullen
Ava McVey
Kadence Miller
Ashley Miron
Jayla Montes
Xena Moore
Daevion Muckle
Madalynn Musick
Ava Narehood
Joshua Neely
Zurisadai Nieves
Maci Ogden
Dylan Porter
Addison Price
Katie Pyne
Leland Rice
Konnor Riley
Crislady Rodriguez
Braelyn Rogers
Delaney Ronk
Amiyah Santiago
Thai Santiago
Ceryn Saunders
Wade Sheeder
Allyson Shields
Keira Sieber
Khloe Snyder
A’Feeon Spaid
Aiden Spriggs
Brady Stimely
Nicolas Swanhart
Johnaven Taylor
Zakheila Trice
Ann Varner
Miley Varner
Sarah Varner
Khaden White
Gianna Whitesel
Giulia Whitesel
Ke’Andra Wible
Sayde Wise
Evan Yakymac
Isabella Yocum
Graduation by the numbers
Graduation is a momentous occasion in the lives of young adults and their families. Reaching this milestone is a testament to students’ hard work, patience and perseverance and worthy of celebration. Here is a look at some notable fgures regarding graduation in both the United States and Canada.
• According to Higher Ed Dive, U.S. high school graduates were projected to peak at 3.9 million in 2025 before declining. College graduation rates continue to hover around 61 percent.
• The high school completion rate in Canada is 88 percent, while the nation-
al frst-time graduation rate is 84.3, according to Statistics Canada.
• According to 2021 census data, Canada leads the G7 group of industrialized democracies with 57.5 percent of its working-age population (ages 25 to 64) holding a college or university credential.
• According to the National Center for Education Statistics, during the 202122 school year, the U.S. average adjusted cohort graduation rate for public high school students was 87 percent. That marked 7 percentage point increase over a decade earlier.
• More than 61 percent of all college graduates are women, according to the
Education Data Initiative.
• National Collegiate Athletic Association athletes maintain high graduation success rates, with 90 percent or better for all women’s sports and 79 percent or better for men’s, says the NCAA.
• By 2041, demographic shifts among graduates are likely. Hispanic public high school graduates are expected to grow to 36 percent of the graduating class, while white graduates are projected to decline by 26 percent, according to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
Score a good grade on a graduation dinner
Students spend a good portion of their lives studying. By the time graduation arrives, thousands of hours spent on homework and writing term papers have passed by. According to the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, the number of U.S. high school graduates was expected to reach nearly 3.9 million students in 2025. The Education Data Initiative says 2.168 million bachelor’s degrees were conferred in Spring 2025 in the U.S. Individuals who are on the precipice of that next chapter in their lives are certainly worthy of celebration. A graduation dinner might just be an A-plus idea. A graduation dinner is all about balancing the magnitude of the occasion with a relaxed environment for the graduate. Here is a syllabus for a seamless graduation meal.
• Secure the date. Graduation season is one of the busiest times of year for restaurants. Between May and June, millions of graduates will don caps and gowns and then be eager to let loose. For those who aren’t hosting at home, it’s essential to move fast to secure a reservation. Book a reservation as soon as you know the graduation date.
• Consider another day. Graduation ceremonies tend to run late. Rather than feeling beholden to the actual graduation date and then worrying about making it to the venue, consider hosting the graduation dinner the
evening before or after to sidestep a post-commencement rush.
• Ask about packages. Speak with the catering manager at the venue to fnd out if there is a specifc party or graduation package. Many places offer limited prefx menus for large groups so the kitchen can deliver. Be sure to confrm a graduate’s favorite foods are on that prefx menu; other-
yond the classic “congrats grad” sentiments, consider a cake topper that is customized to the graduate’s area of study. A stethoscope for someone in health care or a stock market ticker for a fnance major can set a cake apart.
• Keep the program short and sweet. Graduates have already endured through plenty of lectures and speeches, so
wise, broaden the venue search.
• Consider an at-home affair. Although it may involve extra work, hosting at home enables you to customize the menu to refect the guest of honor’s preferred foods. Personalizing the menu with favorite foods, items that feature the school colors, a signature cocktail/ mocktail and more can truly make the experience special. Not all of the food has to be homemade. Hiring an outside caterer and then setting up chafing dishes buffet-style can make hosting less labor intensive.
• Truly take the cake. Don’t forget to have a centerpiece dessert. Be-
any words offered should be brief. Highlight a specifc honor or achievement, and skip a lengthy slideshow or photo montage. A simple “now and then” framed photo or poster of the graduate on the frst day of kindergarten or preschool and now is a great conversation starter.
Graduation season is a happy time of year for families honoring hardworking students. A relaxed and happy dinner is a great way to pay homage to graduates’ hard work and achievements.
The symbols of graduation
After many years of time spent toiling classrooms and study halls, many students welcome graduation. Graduating high school or college is a major milestone. It is associated with many symbols that have endured for some time. As graduates prepare to receive their diplomas or degrees, they might be curious to know what’s behind some notable symbols of graduation ceremonies.
• Gown: The gown is a customary garment worn on graduation day. The Georgia Institute of Technology says gowns historically were heavy robes worn by medieval scholars for warmth in the largely unheated universities. Today, graduates don gowns not for warmth (as most graduation ceremonies take place in the spring and summer), but to symbolize the level of degree being conferred.
• Cap: A cap, also known as a mortarboard, often goes hand-in-hand with a graduation gown. Historians surmise the fat, square shape represents either a mason’s mortarboard to symbolize hard work. Others say it may be the shape of a book to signify academic achievement.
• Tassel: The turning of the tassel is a relatively modern tradition. The tassel, which is attached to the mortarboard, initially was an ornament but has since evolved into
a traditional element. The Honor Society says the practice of moving the tassel from one side of the cap to the other symbolizes completion of this important academic milestone. Typically, graduates move the tassel from the right to the left. The right side represents the student being a candidate, while the left means he or she is now a graduate. While some sources date the tradition to the early 1900s, the current tradition has been traced to the 1960s and 1970s.
• Cords and stoles: Graduates may adorn their graduation garb with other elements. Cords are twisted ropes that often represent high grade point averages or participation in honor societies. Stoles are satin scarves that often denote participation in specifc organizations or a student’s cultural heritage, according to the University of Colorado Boulder.
• Diploma: A diploma is a legal document. Historically, diplomas were written on thin sheepskin and rolled into tubes. Students may receive a prop diploma on graduation day or empty diploma folio. Later on the actual document will be mailed
or made available for pickup.
• Rings: Some graduates
have opted to purchase class rings. Students will often wear the ring with
the school name facing them while still a student. Upon graduation, the ring will be turned so the name faces outward, presenting the completed coursework to the world.
• Commencement speech: The word “commencement” means “beginning,” which is ftting for a graduation ceremony. Instead of marking the end of something, commencement is for students who are about to start a new chapter. Graduation rituals and symbols have endured through the ages, and are likely something students and their families will encounter as they prepare for the ceremony to come.
Volunteer opportunities for recent grads
During the months between graduating high school and beginning college, or between getting a university degree and entering the workforce, graduates may want to explore the personal growth that comes from volunteerism. Volunteering provides various benefts. Some of these rewards include networking with an entirely different group of people. Volunteering also can help a person realize greater happiness by doing selfess acts for others, while they also can help one to realize a new passion. In the future, volunteering with an organization also may help with
a student’s job search. There are many arenas where young people can focus their volunteer efforts. Here are some ideas.
• Animal shelter: Animal shelters rely on volunteers to help with their operations. They can be a good ft for anyone with a passion for animals and animal rights activism.
• Public service sectors: AmeriCorp and Peace Corps have scores of opportunities for volunteers. AmeriCorp focuses on domestic issues, while the PeaceCorp is a branch of the U.S. government that engages volunteers in international service work. Community involvement, health care,
agriculture, homelessness, and combatting hunger are top priorities for these organizations.
• English as a second language: Volunteers can spend time abroad
teaching English to students. Others may want to volunteer domestically by helping non-English-speaking individuals improve their language skills.
• Community government: A person may choose to sit on the board of a school, a neighborhood housing association, or even explore volunteerism with a township municipal offce. This will provide valuable hands-on experience and may help one lend a voice to issues that affect his or her living situation.
• Religious groups: Churches, synagogues and mosques may have volunteer opportunities focused on community outreach or programs affliated with local nonprofts.
• Conservation groups: Volunteers can work on conservation projects
across the country. From wildlife management to trail restoration to invasive species eradication, there are a wide variety of conservation-based volunteering opportunities.
• Tutoring: Graduates can volunteer to tutor students in local schools or overseas. Volunteerism can fll gap years or add to résumés for recent graduates.
Gifts for new college grads about to enter the workforce
The day a student graduates from college is a momentous occasion. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics indicates that more than two million students earned bachelor’s degrees at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year, the most recent year such information was available. As another graduation season rounds into form,
millions more hardworking college students are about to receive their degrees. Commencement will be a big moment for those students and it will also prove a proud moment for their families, who will want to reward graduates with a gift commensurate with this signifcant accomplishment. As graduates prepare to trade in campus life for
the professional arena, well-wishers can consider these graduation gift ideas.
• Attire: Though many businesses have committed to remote or hybrid working in recent years, college graduates will still need something more than hoodies and sweatpants as they enter the professional arena. Professional attire can include anything from suits to business casual clothing. Developing a professional wardrobe can be costly, so gift givers can take new college grads out shopping for attire that can help them make a strong frst impression. If distance or timing makes such an excursion impossible, a gift card worth enough money to help grads begin building an impressive professional wardrobe can make for
a great gift.
• Tote bag/messenger bag: Traditional briefcases are still around, but many modern professionals now prefer tote bags and messenger bags. Bags with padded pockets that can accommodate 15-inch laptops can be especially useful and help new graduations set a professional tone during interviews and after landing a job.
• Apartment furnishings: Of course, some newly minted grads will already have a job lined up by the time they stroll across a graduation stage and receive their degrees. In such instances, they might beneft from a little help furnishing their frst apartments. Some new kitchenware, a gift card to a furniture store or some gadgets like a new smart TV or home speaker system can help a new place
feel like home that much sooner.
• Cooking lessons: Now that the campus dining hall is in the rearview mirror, new grads will have to prepare their own meals. Some might be doing so for the frst time, so some cooking lessons with a local chef or instruction offered at a local restaurant can ensure new grads aren’t spending the bulk of their earnings on takeout or dining out.
College graduation is an exciting time in a young person’s life. Loved ones can consider an assortment of gifts to make this period even more special.
