Bethlehem Central honors Class of 2025 at commencement; speakers stress pause, service and community

Bethlehem Central High School held a commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025 during which graduates received diplomas and heard remarks from school and district leaders, faculty and student speakers.

School official Dave D'Omele opened the program with an address that included an acronym built from the image of a stop sign. "Stop — seek truth, trust others, own moments, and pause often," D'Omele said, urging graduates to use pauses as moments for reflection and moral grounding.

Superintendent Jody Monroe summarized class achievements and community engagement, noting academic, athletic and extracurricular honors. Monroe said the district had three National Merit finalists and five students recognized by the New York State School Music Association, and that 27 graduating student-athletes will continue to compete at the collegiate level. She also noted that 32 students earned the seal of biliteracy and that student investors Bir Williams and Mahmoud Zamirimiri finished first and second in New York State's stock market game among more than 4,500 participants. "When you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together," Monroe said.

Board President Holly Delambaugh encouraged graduates to keep asking questions and to remain engaged citizens. In her remarks she urged curiosity and action, saying, "Being for something is an act of optimism," and asked graduates to consider what they will stand for as they leave school.

Student speakers emphasized empathy, involvement and growth. Opening speaker Skyler Maurer reflected on personal struggles and urged classmates to "be yourself" and to value the differences that make people human. Claire McGahee, delivering the senior address, urged classmates to "pull up a seat" — a metaphor for getting involved and making room for others. Closing speaker Joanna Ratcliffe read a poem reflecting on the transition to adulthood and the continuing nature of growth.

The ceremony included a roll call of graduates and a symbolic tassel turning. The presiding staff invited the Class of 2025 to move tassels from right to left to mark the conferral of diplomas; an alma mater followed the formal conferral.

District leaders and speakers repeatedly highlighted student service. Monroe singled out four seniors who plunged into Lake George waters to raise nearly $2,500 for Special Olympics and noted eight seniors trained as peer educators through the National Coalition Building Institute. The district also recognized 12 Unified student athletes among the graduates.

The ceremony combined brief remarks from the school official and district leadership, multiple student speeches, awarding of diplomas and the traditional tassel turn. Speakers kept the tone celebratory and forward-looking, repeatedly urging graduates to remain curious, take part in their communities and lean on supportive networks as they move to the next stage of education or the workforce.