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Abington Heights certifies Class of 2025; students also receive associate degrees and workforce certifications
Summary
Abington Heights School District certified that members of the Class of 2025 met graduation requirements and recognized students who earned associate degrees and workforce certifications. Student speakers included salutatorian Sarah Hoban and valedictorian Mara Pipparato.
Abington Heights School District certified the Class of 2025 as graduates and recognized a group of students who also earned associate degrees or workforce certifications during a commencement ceremony at Abington Heights High School.
The certification came when the principal of Abington Heights High School addressed the Board of Education and said, "Mister Acker and members of the Abington Heights School District Board of Education, I certify that the students before you have met all the requirements necessary to receive a fully accredited high school diploma from the Abington High School District." The board representative then accepted the certification on behalf of the board.
The ceremony included student speeches and formal recognition of honors. Sarah Hoban, identified as the salutatorian, told classmates, "A number should never define you." Mara Pipparato, the valedictorian, reflected on memory and change and said of a childhood symbol that remained after a fire, "Still bright as ever, still us." The principal introduced Mrs. Rood, a longtime Abington Heights teacher, as the commencement speaker; Mrs. Rood opened by saying, "I promise I wouldn't cry and I already am."
School officials also read a list recognizing students who earned postsecondary credentials during high school, including associate degrees from Lackawanna College and certifications from regional career-technical programs and colleges. The principal asked those students to stand so the audience could acknowledge their achievements.
Student leaders who spoke included Brock Pentecilio (vice president), JT Healy (treasurer) and Jack Farrell (class president); Rachel Stoppard served as student council president and Cecilia O'Malley as class historian. The ceremony concluded with the traditional turning of tassels to mark graduates' new status.
No board vote or contested action was recorded in the transcript; the principal's oral certification and the board representative's acceptance constituted the formal certification of diplomas. Further details about district credentialing rules or counts of credentialed students were not specified in the ceremony remarks.
