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Wyoming Area High School

June 7, 2008

W.A. grads begin their climb

‘Never forget your journey began here’

JANINE UNGVARSKY Times Leader Correspondent

WEST PITTSTON – They sweltered in green and gold gowns. They talked, laughed and even did “the wave.” They heard the cheers—and air horns – of a stadium packed with family and friends. They stood and clapped along with an original class song performed by classmates Linda Ann Rubino and Matthew McDonnell.

And after it all, 209 members of the Wyoming Area Class of 2008 graduated Friday night.

Class President Kathryn Elisabeth Perugini began the 42nd annual commencement exercises and likened the moment to a preschooler’s experience on the monkey bars.

“With each passing attempt, we climbed a little higher,” she said. “Now, we stand at the base of our own monkey bars…commencement, the beginning of our climb.”

She urged the class to believe and aim high, and led them in one final chant of “We are…W. A.”

Graduates Kathleen Rose Kenney and Michael Anthony Kachmarsky each offered some advice. Kenney reminded classmates that some of the most important lessons life teaches can’t be written down or graded, while Kachmarsky told his friends that no matter where they end up on the world, “Never forget your journey began here in green and gold.”

Superintendent Ray Bernardi delivered the commencement address. He commended graduate Nancy Recupero, who was homebound most of her senior year, and English teacher Cindy Lynch, who spent most of the school year in the hospital. Both were present at graduation and Bernardi asked graduates to recognize the example they set. Bernardi advised graduates to always take time to glance back to where they came from, look forward to where they are going, and “as you climb the ladder, always pause to reach down to help those in need.” The superintendent drew laughter when he told college-bound graduates that there is always a weird roommate.

“If you don’t have a weird roommate, you ARE the weird roommate,” Bernardi joked.

As the sun started to set and the stadium lights came on, diplomas were awarded, along with more than 50 awards and scholarships. Then, what started as an orderly graduate procession from the field ended in a jubilant dash to the goal post, where graduates gathered as a class one last time to spray silly string and toss their caps in the air.

“It’s hard to describe,” said Michael Dorbad as he stood in the crowd of graduates. Dorbad, who graduated summa cum laude and received four awards for academic and scientific accomplishments, will attend King’s College to study biology or pre-medicine.

“I’m very excited, but I’m going to miss all the kids I’ve known for years and years.”

Katrina Bartoli said she was “overwhelmed” by a moment she called “bittersweet.” Wearing cords indicating her membership in both academic and music honor societies, cum laude graduate Bartoli said she’ll miss the friends she’s made in chorus and drama.

“We’re like a family. We’re really close and it’s hard to leave,” she said.

She’ll attend Lock Haven University to major in secondary English education and drama.

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