The day before Biglerville High School seniors became alumni, the Class of 2024 returned to the place where their journey began.
Donning their caps and gowns, the soon-to-be graduates paraded through the halls of Biglerville Elementary School the day before graduation. Young students applauded and cheered as they passed by.
The next day, Michael Cogliano wore a smile as he described the experience. “It’s cool to see how things have changed,” he said, but also stayed the same.
Prior to the graduation ceremony Thursday, Cogliano and his classmates milled around the newly renovated library. Seniors snapped photos and chatted excitedly. Cogliano, who served as treasurer for the Class of 2024, looks forward to studying physics at Case Western Reserve University.
To the next generation of Canners, Cogliano advises young learners to follow what they love. “Whatever you do, it’ll work out,” he said. “You’ll be able to make something of it.”
In another corner of the library, Lexxi Porter finished reading a letter that brought tears to her eyes. Six years ago, she wrote the letter to her friend, Sami Waybright, expressing what their friendship meant to her. “It made me emotional,” Porter said.
Now, she and Waybright are preparing for life after graduation. Porter is heading to York College while Waybright is Villanova-bound.
But before college life, military service and careers could begin, the Class of 2024 had one more high school assignment to complete. Wearing black gowns and golden stoles, seniors made their way down to the stadium just as raindrops began to fall. Family members and friends waved and hollered from the stands. Despite the momentary rain on their parade, grads grinned as they strolled across the track to their seats.
One senior wore a solemn expression as he carried a giant framed photo. Juan Morales clutched a photo of his twin brother, José, who died Sept. 3, 2023. In the photo, José wears a cap and gown as he holds a framed photo of their late mother, Sally Estrada.
In an interview, Morales said he fought through adversity to make it to graduation day. He lost his mother at a young age, then his brother. He experienced homelessness, too. During his time at Upper Adams School District, Morales competed on the football team and in track. He said his coaches made an impact on him.
Morales wants to be a motivational speaker and spread mental health awareness. “Maintain focus, don’t let anybody distract you,” he said.
Class Vice President and valedictorian Gabriel Hollabaugh kicked off the ceremony by welcoming guests in English and Spanish. “Biglerville is an incredible place, and the community that exists here in this stadium is truly remarkable,” Hollabaugh said. “None of us got through our experience from K to 12 alone.”
Class President and salutatorian Carlie Corson detailed the memories seniors experienced in each season — from volunteering at the National Apple Harvest Festival in the fall to late night ice cream runs in the spring. She encouraged her classmates to hold tight to the moments big and small that defined their education.
“When you find that the journey begins to fade from your mind, reach out and remove the book of high school from the shelf,” Corson said, her voice tight with emotion. “Crack the spine, flip through the pages and read your favorite chapters again and again.”
Principal Beth Graham commended the students’ remarkable strength and adaptability, reminding them that they will always be Canners.
Biglerville High School was recently named among the top 40% of high schools nationwide, earning it the distinguished status of a U.S. News Best High School.
Superintendent Wesley Doll posed a question to the graduates — how do you want to be remembered?
Doll described the legacy of alumni who whose memory will live on at Biglerville thorough the newly christened Guinn E. Unger and Richard L. Unger Learning Commons. The recent secondary campus library renovation was made possible by the generosity of the brothers, who graduated from Biglerville in 1943 and 1950, respectively. The late Guinn Unger also established an endowment to recognize Upper Adams teachers, the Unger Stock Teacher of Excellence Award.
When Hollabaugh rose to the podium to deliver his valedictorian address, he had more than one legacy on his mind. He recalled the impact his late father, Bruce, had on the Biglerville community. When Bruce died in 2022, Biglerville High School’s auditorium was flooded with people who came to pay their respects. Gabriel said he and his family were there for about six hours.
“I don’t know how many people came through that line, and I don’t even know all the people that I saw,” Gabriel said. “But what I do know is my dad left a legacy in this community. If we lived anywhere else, I would be willing to bet that we would not have been able to use the high school and have half the town show up to support our family, but in Biglerville we have both.”
After the wake, Gabriel said he knew he wanted to leave a legacy of his own. He encouraged his fellow graduates to find motivation to craft their own legacies.
“…Each and every one of you can find your own reason for doing whatever it is you enjoy doing,” Gabriel said, “because that is what makes every single one of us unique and empowers us to leave our own legacy in this life.”
Mary Grace Kauffman, freelance reporter, worked six years as a full-time reporter for newspapers in Pennsylvania and Maryland. She has covered topics including business, crime, education, government and features. Mary Grace has a bachelor's degree in communication/journalism from Shippensburg University. She resides in Adams County.
Congratulations to my beautiful daughter and her classmates you all will do great in this next chapter in life just believe in yourself