Danville Area High School presented diplomas to its Class of 2025 during a commencement ceremony at the school gymnasium, a ceremony in which student leaders and guest speaker Matthew Wolf urged graduates to “forge on” and value time, family and friendships.

Class president Cole Duffy, speaking for his classmates, described the senior class as “177 strong,” and called on graduates to embrace the ties they have formed. The evening featured several student speeches, including addresses by salutatorian Julian Harden and valedictorian April Zhu, and a keynote from alumnus Matthew Wolf, who said, “The only currency that matters in this life are time, friends, and family.”

The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks and the pledge of allegiance, followed by remarks from student leaders. Cole Duffy reflected on shared experiences and urged classmates that “this is not one of those moments for you. You have left the building,” a call to move on from the school chapter. Student speaker Julian Harden drew on the story of explorer Ernest Shackleton to stress perseverance, opening his speech with the line, “When disaster strikes and all hope is gone, get down on your knees and pray for Shackleton.” April Hsu, another student speaker, counseled graduates to meet uncertainty with curiosity and hope, saying the future can be seen as “a benevolent black hole.”

Guest commencement speaker Matthew Wolf, a 1994 graduate, urged graduates to maintain friendships and to choose mentors carefully. Wolf also referenced local memory and recognition of educator Dorothy Bonowitz, saying a scholarship in her name has been awarded since 1977 and that she will soon receive further recognition; those remarks were presented as his account of local history and ongoing community efforts.

An event presenter announced that the students seated before the audience had met the district’s graduation requirements set by the Danville Area School District Board of Education and formally presented diplomas. The first diplomas were presented to class officers including Cole William Duffy (class president), Anna Grace Hummel (class secretary), and Chase Miller (class treasurer). Salutatorian Julian Harden, who plans to attend the University of California, Santa Cruz to study astrophysics, and valedictorian April Zhu, who plans a gap year then Schreyer Honors College at Penn State, were introduced and recognized during the presentation.

The ceremony closed with the playing of the alma mater, a final roll call of graduates, and a traditional cap toss. Organizers encouraged family and guests to remain seated until graduates left the gymnasium.

Details presented at the ceremony — including the class size cited by the class president and the history items recounted by the guest speaker — were reported by those speakers during their remarks.