By Melanie Lekocevic
Capital Region Independent Media
GREENVILLE — With laughter and tears of joy, the Class of 2024 on Friday walked the stage for their final time as students at Greenville Central High School.
The graduates entered the school’s auditorium to the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance,” as family and friends cheered them on.
High School Principal Kristy Goergen welcomed the graduates and the audience.
“It is with great pride and immense joy that I stand before you today to celebrate the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2024,” Goergen said.
“Graduating from high school is no small feat and you should be immensely proud of all you have accomplished,” she told the graduates. “This milestone is a testament to your hard work, determination and resilience.”
Through their four years of high school, the graduates met the challenges that came their way, Goergen said.
“High school is a journey filled with triumphs and trials. You have experienced the joys of friendship, the satisfaction of goals achieved, and perhaps even the occasional disappointment,” Goergen told the class. “Through it all, you have shown perseverance and grit. These qualities will serve you well as you move forward into the next chapter of your lives.”
As the students pave their own path into the future, Goergen offered advice — always be curious, be kind, be resilient, and “remember that success is not just about the destination, it’s about the journey.”
This year’s valedictorian is Shea Landversicht and the salutatorian is Clara de Long.
Also in the top 10 of the Class of 2024 are Kayla Ahrberg, Emily Peck, Courtney Taibi, Mikaela Crawley, Lauryn Caro, Anna Styer, Jordan Landversicht and Maeve Lampman.
Salutatorian Clara de Long in her speech compared achieving success in life to parallel parking and had three key pieces of advice for both — line yourself up for success, look in your rearview mirror, and then exude confidence as you pursue your goals.
Valedictorian Shea Landversicht, also class president, said her fellow students overcame obstacles and challenges throughout high school.
“Some of us, four years ago, would never have imagined being on this stage today and we should all be proud of the strength, perseverance and hard work through every class period, every assignment and every setback or challenge,” Landversicht said. “High school is composed of some of the hardest times of our lives and I am so proud of all of us for never giving up.”
“We did it,” she added. “And we are now looking forward to the next chapter of our lives.”
