The Conewago Valley School District celebrated the graduation of the class of 2026 on Wednesday evening at the Colonial Stadium.
Longtime teacher Dr. David Bowman, the faculty speaker, reflected on the ways students had developed their individual voices over their lives, supported by friends, family and their school faculty and staff.
“Remember, your voice isn’t used to just say, ‘yes’ to your passions,” Bowman said. “It’s also your tool to protect your peace. It gives you the ability to clearly, calmly and firmly say, ‘This does not align with who I am’ without drowning with guilt.”
The teacher told the graduates that their school experience was more than their academic success – although he acknowledged that, along with athletic, art, fundraising and other achievements – and that it included the formation of their “aura” throughout their life.
“Your transcripts will tell a story about state standards and content mastery, but my real question is, what did you discover about yourself each time you stepped through a new door and encountered a new experience?” Bowman asked the group.
Bowman reflected on their collective actions as a student body and how they had utilized their voice as Colonials. He asked the students to step into their next phase of life, as they are more independent with fewer outside schedules and rules from school and parents, to consider who they truly are, what they stand for and what they will do with their lives.
Student speakers Lillian Crabbs and Audrianna Dusseau reflected on their individual and collective class experiences as well as their futures.
Crabbs recalled key high school moments from their first homecoming to graduation, saying that now she realized what others had said when they warned her time would “fly by” more quickly than she expected.
“Our high school journey was more than learning how to pass or meet a deadline,” Crabbs said. “It taught us to hold onto our beliefs, values and sense of self, even if the world was pushing us to bend, shrink or change. But you know, high school was not the final destination. It was just one small part of the adventure.”
Dusseau spoke of the grief she and others feel on graduation at the end of their high school career and on how the grief is a sign of a worthwhile experience.
“You see, it is when you have felt joy and love for something that you get the privilege of grief,” Dusseau said. “And I say ‘the privilege of grief’ because we can only grieve something when we have something to lose. What a beautiful thing it is to find something to lose.”
Dusseau wondered if the seniors she met as a kindergarten student felt the same uncertainty she does now, even as they projected confidence and strength to the then-young child.
“And that brings us to today, where we now stand in their place, and I can’t help but wonder: Did they feel ready?” Dusseau pondered. “Did they feel wise? Or did they feel the same uncertainty that we do now?”
The graduate encouraged the others to realize that their uncertainties and grief at moving on from this stage of life are healthy signs of investment and caring, asking her fellow graduates to hold on to their memories.
Dr. Sharon Perry, superintendent of the district, praised the collective efforts of the industry partners, faculty and staff, students and their families in helping the students achieve graduation.
Perry said one of those investors, Bowman, is a beloved teacher on campus. Once he was chosen to become the commencement faculty speaker, Perry gathered positive comments from students about him and shared some during her speech.
“Those comments speak volumes because they reflect the lasting influence of someone who has dedicated their career to making students feel valued and inspired and capable of more than they ever imagined,” Perry said. “Please know that you have a special place in our hearts from the senior class, Dr. Bowman.”
Perry told the students to continue to stay actively invested with their families who had supported them and to continue to show their gratitude.
“Look them in the eye and have a real conversation,” Perry said. “The greatest gift you can give your family is your thanks and your time as you go into adulthood.”
Dr. Nancy Herb, principal of New Oxford High School, told the students to hold onto their authentic selves.
“Be no less than you,” Herb said. “Be the best version and figure who you are and what you are meant to be and follow that dream with all the hard work, determination and perseverance that you learned here as a Colonial.”
Herb acknowledged that once the students crossed the stage, they would all take different paths.
“Some of you will go to college, go into the workforce, maybe the military, take care of family, take care of yourself,” Herb said. “Whatever that means, don’t sell yourself short because you don’t have to have it all figured out right now.”
The 2026 class president presented the class gifts, which include furniture and a water bottle filling station, to assistant superintendent Wesley Doll, who thanked the class.
Herb presented the diplomas to the graduates with school board present Jeffrey Kindschuh.
Featured image caption: Superintendent Perry
