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Hazleton Area commencement

GRADUATION: Hazleton Area

BEN FREDA Times Leader Correspondent

HAZLETON – After four years of reading, writing and extracurricular activities, members of the Hazleton Area High School Class of 2009 received their diplomas and left freshly minted graduates.

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Hazleton Area Valedictorian Donna Chen gives the farewell speech Wednesday.

PETE G. WILCOX/THE TIMES LEADER

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Hazleton Area’s annual commencement was held outdoors at the school’s main parking lot. The parking lot was filled with hundreds of chairs of graduates, teachers, and family members. Four graduating speakers offered words of encouragement to fellow graduates.

The “Star Spangled Banner” was sung by choral students Lydia Paden, Jacqueline Phillips and Colyn Rodriguez.

The graduation commencement began with student speaker class vice president John Yang, whose “Words of Inspiration” speech was about facing obstacles and overcoming them.

Yang plans to attend Penn State.

Afterward, the attendees listened to the speech of Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Correale Stevens.

Stevens told the students about the importance of “living an adventurous life” and to never fear failing as long as you try your best. Stevens’ daughter Brittany Stevens was among the graduates.

Salutatorian Anastasia Rose Baran encouraged fellow graduates to strive for excellence.

“We’re equipped to face this “brave new world, so don’t be afraid to face it,” she said. She plans to attend Georgetown University with a major in classics and Italian studies.

Class President Vanessa Velez made a special tribute to her parents, who immigrated from Colombia, so that she can be a first-generation college graduate. Velez plans to study pre-med biology at Cornell University.

Valedictorian Donna Chen, who plans to attend The University of Pennsylvania and major in biology, gave the farewell address to her fellow graduates. Additional remarks were made by Brian Earley, president of the Hazleton Area School Board.

Superintendent Samuel Marolo handed the diplomas to the nearly 800 graduates lining up to walk the platform. The handing of the diplomas was cut short due to a downpour. Everyone moved to the school gym.

The rain didn’t dampen spirits. “I’m happy … I’m going to college to become an FBI agent,” said graduate Nelson Pepin.