Class of 2025 speeches at Lewisburg commencement stress community, perseverance and career-technical training

Speeches at Lewisburg Area High School’s Class of 2025 commencement emphasized community support, perseverance and career-technical education as graduates transition from K–12. Student speakers and district leaders shared personal reflections and practical encouragement at the ceremony held at Bucknell University.

Why this matters: graduation speeches signal the values the class and district prioritize—community ties, resilience after pandemic-era disruption, and career pathways including technical training—information important to families and local educators planning postsecondary options.

What speakers said: Mariah Drexler, identified as the class speaker, urged classmates to "be here, be fully here in this moment," reflecting on shared experiences and friendships formed through school activities. Bree June, a student speaker, described finding "the beauty of belonging in a community" at Lewisburg after moving frequently during childhood.

Hennessy Vasquez Ramos, representing Sun Area Technical Institute, described the institute’s hands-on programs and the confidence students gain: "Spending 9 months in the patient care and technology program, I felt uncertainty turn into purpose," and said Sun Tech offers "industry recognized credentials" and practical skills that help graduates enter the workforce or continue study. The transcript does not specify how many Lewisburg graduates completed Sun Tech programs.

Class president Hanif Shavers used humor and a brisk timeline of school years to urge classmates to move forward. District leaders also framed student growth: Assistant Superintendent Vince Hoover compared students’ development to bamboo growth and thanked staff; the district recognized retiring faculty and staff during the ceremony.

Details and context: remarks included musical performances by the Lewisburg orchestra and acknowledgments of military-bound graduates and veterans in the audience. Speakers repeatedly praised teachers, counselors, support staff and families for their roles in students’ development.

Limitations: the remarks were ceremonial and reflective; no policy changes, budget decisions or formal district actions were proposed in the speeches. Specific counts for Sun Tech participants or exact credential names were not provided in the transcript.