Graduation 2019 Coverage Sponsored By:
It might be one of the smaller school districts in Pennsylvania, but Bristol Borough High School certainly shows a big heart. For the 59 graduates of the Class of 2019, they could hear it in the voices of the superintendent and students speaking for the commencement.
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The weather was perfect, with sunny skies and a light breeze keeping the crowds comfortable as the students took to the platform in the middle of the football field. Class president and Valedictorian Sara L. Hughes started with the welcome, then introduced Superintendent Dr. Thomas Shaffer, who will retire this summer.
Shaffer kept his charge to the class brief, calling upon the outgoing seniors to take charge of their life.
“Each of you are the editors of your life … It is your responsibility to burnish your life and make it the best possible version it can be.”
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He then announced the three men joining the service upon graduation: Ryan Bigio, Dylan DellaVecchio, and Raheem Travis.
Salutatorian Peter Vandine next addressed his friends and faculty with a lighthearted yet heartfelt thank you to everyone for everything they did as a part of his time at Bristol High – once he acknowledged and waited for the latest train to pass by. Talking about current life expectancies, he challenged his classmates.
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“We have lived about a quarter of our lives so far … do spontaneous things … do not waste time, do not live in regret.”
Vandine also reminded the audience, “You do not have to be the best in order to succeed; you have to believe you deserve the best.”
Following Vandine, class president and Valedictorian Sara Hughes took over.
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“We made memories that will last a lifetime.”
She reminded everyone not to wish life away, and even the bland days are a part of each person’s journey. At the next milestone in life, “Remember to look back at the road that got you there in the first place. Embrace all of the bad days and remember them as ones of growth.” In closing, Hughes started to get emotional as she thanked everyone for being a part of her life at Bristol High.
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The students then took turns passing out roses to their families, and Guidance Counselor Erica Mortimer announced the individual scholarship awards many of the students were granted to continue their education. Over two-thirds of the students will be continuing their education either through trade schools or colleges across the nation, and their combined scholarships and grants totaled over $600,000 thousand.
The awards announced, the diplomas were issued, and the students were officially matriculated by Principal Kelli Rosado.
- Number of grads: 59
- Percentage entering college: 71 percent (four-year college/university, community college or trade school)
- Percentage of work-bound graduates: 24 percent
- Percentage of graduates serving in the military: 3 Students
- Amount of scholarships earned: $629,794
- Valedictorian: Sara Hughes
- Salutatorian: Peter Vandine
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