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Chester County Press

Oxford commencement speakers express optimism and hope for the future

06/05/2024 09:39AM ● By Chris Barber
Oxford commencement speakers express optimism and hope for the future [3 Images] Click Any Image To Expand

The speakers at Oxford Area High School’s commencement last Friday expressed optimism for the future and appreciation for the education they had received.

The annual ceremony took place in the gym, where there appeared ample seating for friends and relatives of the graduates.

The class members entered from the front to the music of “Pomp and Circumstance,” circled the floor and came to sit in the center of the room, surrounded by the spectators—their families and friends. The honor speakers and class officers took their places on the stage.

Class President Ava McGlothlin greeted her classmates, reviewing their years and reminding them that they had learned to make new choices as they arrived at their teenage years.

Then for advice, she told them, “Follow your dreams.”

The Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard presented the colors, followed by the National Anthem sung by the Senior Chorus.

Salutatorian Lexi Reinard said she often noticed the importance of numbers as she encountered experiences in her life. She also recalled the many hours she put in with her studies, occasionally coming up against her parents’ views on answers.

Valedictorian Molly Friel said she appreciated her excellent education at Oxford and that she will always remember the extracurricular events like sports and social events as well.

Principal James Canaday, who also served as the master of ceremonies for the evening, said he had four pieces of advice for the graduates: “Seek and serve others; come back to visit the high school and share your experiences; embrace challenges (and don’t fear failure); and seek to be a uniter and encourager.”

The class members received their diplomas one by one onstage from School Board President Jenifer Warren, Superintendent David Woods and Canaday.

For a final gesture as class president, McGlothlin presented the president’s sash to Junior Class President Owen Oliver.

Simultaneously with lifting their mortarboard tassels from left to right, class members shot off confetti blowers that flowed the colorful bits of paper down on their heads.

The graduates then exited with a reprieve of Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance.”