By Chris Barber
Contributing Writer

Oxford Area High School graduating senior speakers expressed gratitude for their education and optimism for the future in their commencement speeches. The seniors, their relatives and the school district staff filled the gym last Friday evening in a celebration which ended with a rain of confetti orchestrated by the graduates.

The graduation ceremony began with a procession of students while the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” played. Principal James Canaday greeted the audience and suggested respectful spectator behavior. After the senior class came in, he offered remarks and congratulations to the assembled senior class members. He told them he viewed this year’s class officers as “outstanding.”

“I’m proud of you and your futures,” he said.

The advice he gave them was to grow beyond their education and aim for a life of kindness, respect and resilience.

He added that the students, as adults, would be remembered for how they treated others, and the doors they seek to open would correspond accordingly.

“Kindness sets you apart,” he said.

Class President Owen Oliver spoke twice: first from his position as the leader of the class and later as the salutatorian. He recalled how many in his class had been at Oxford ever since kindergarten, when his classmates were barely learning their ABCs.

Through the years, he said, the elementary school experiences with the “the three r’s” could be characterized as “reading, ‘riting, and recess.”

Some of the experiences that made a significant impression on him were the lockdown during the Covid pandemic, decorating the homecoming float, and “crazy adventures.”

Most of all, he added, he would remember the friendships which will “last a lifetime.” He thanked the parents who had pitched in during late evenings to help their children with projects as well.

He advised his classmates to “try hard” as they go out into the world.

Valedictorian Logan Spano, who will be attending Cornell University, said he has been interested in baseball history—especially the achievements of baseball great Satchel Paige. Paige, a Hall of Fame pitcher for the Cleveland Indians, began his baseball career in the Negro League and later wrote an autobiography that went into three printings.

Spano said the important lesson that he learned from the book by Paige is that no one can avoid being born “average,” but no man has to be common.

Spano also urged his classmates to find and be guided by their own interests, and to follow those challenges that comer with it.

“Don’t follow the paths of others,” he said.

After the speakers made their remarks, the class members processed in line to the stage to receive their diplomas from Canaday, Board President Mark Patterson and Superintendent David Woods.

As a final ceremonial act, Class President Oliver presented the hood signifying his office to Jonah Ullman, the president of the Junior Class. As soon as the High School Chorus sang the Alma Mater, the class members celebrated the graduation with the shooting of confetti followed by the exit march out. As everyone left the school, they were greeted by a band from the outside that entertained them with festive music.