Andy Close
SHEFFIELD, Pa. – A picturesque evening on Wolverine Mountain saw Sheffield Area High School welcome its newest alums at its 2022 commencement ceremony.
“Forty-one years ago today I was where these young ladies and gentlemen are today,” said commencement speaker Mark Shields, who spent 32 years in the Wattsburg School District before retiring, then un-retiring to come to Sheffield. “At my commencement, I had a head full of hopes and dreams. As I stand here, my head is still filled with hopes and dreams and wishes. But they’re no longer about me. There about these kids.”
Isabella Lyon was class Valedictorian, while Lynzie Grubbs was Salutatorian and Alex Magioine Historian.
“We’re ready for our next adventure,” Lyon said. “Some of us will go on to college or trade school. Some of us will go right into the workforce. I want to give a special thanks to those who are going on to serve our country.”
Grubbs, meanwhile, thanked everyone for the lasting memories.
“I would like to thank our parents, family, friend, and teachers,” Grubbs said. “I would also like to thank my classmates for making this an unforgettable experience.”
Warren County School District Superintendent Amy Stewart also put out a message via the district’s Facebook page, congratulating all the county graduates of 2022.
“Congratulations to all our Warren County School District graduates!” Stewart said in the post. “Through hard work and dedication, you have each made it to the milestone of high school graduation. You are now confronted with several different pathways through life, and on behalf of the Board of School Directors, your teachers, and staff of the district, I wish you all success in what you choose to pursue.
“Some of you may not yet have the clarity of purpose for what comes next, and I want to assure you that it’s OK and that many others face the same problem. If I can offer any advice, I would say that whether you are still working out what your dreams of the future are or know exactly what you want and are ready to start that new chapter, be sure to keep yourself moving forward. Keep yourself open to change, take the opportunities that present themselves to you, and don’t let the pressure of having to know exactly what you are going to do govern your life. Enjoy the process of continuing to explore who you are and what you want to be!
“So again, I wish you good luck in each of your future endeavors. May you build on the education and experiences your received here and map out a path that matches your goals.”
