Bethel Park graduating class features 188 honor students
Julie Heh
Co-salutatorian Keelan Donovan, valedictorian Julie Heh, co-salutatorian Jadon Tietz, SGA president Victoria Hoffman and class president Kessid Wicker were among the distinguished graduates in the Class of 2022 from Bethel Park High School.
The Class of 2022 from Bethel Park High School featured a plethora of high-ranking academic standouts that will continue there studies at higher institutes of learning.
The 320-member group that participated in the 113th annual commencement exercises on June 3 at Black Hawk Stadium included 108 students who graduated with the highest honors (QPA higher than 4.0); 46 students who graduated with high honors (QPA of 3.75 to 4.0); and 34 students who graduated with honors (QPA of 3.50 to 3.749).
Eighty-two graduates were members of the National Honor Society. Of this year’s graduates, 81% will attend a four-year institution, 11% will attend a two-year institution, 5% will attend a trade or technical school; less than 1% will enter the military and approximately 1% will enter the workforce.
Julie Heh earned valedictorian honors. In her speech, she thanked her teachers for challenging her and her friends, family and classmates for motivating her to continue to work hard.
“This four-year journey has taught us all that with perseverance and commitment, anything is possible,” she said.
Keenan Donovan and Jadon Tietz were recognized as co-salutatorians.
Donovan encouraged his classmates to let go of their regrets and to accept that they will make mistakes but that’s OK as long as they are continually learning from them so as not to repeat them. He also stressed the importance of continuing to work hard to ensure success.
“Be all you can be, true; but the problem is a dream is only a dream if work don’t follow it,” he said, quoting rapper, songwriter and producer, Kendrick Lamar.
Tietz, a third-generation Bethel Park alum whose grandfather was a longtime history teacher at the high school, encouraged his peers to face their fears and to embrace the prospect of failure as a means toward ultimate success.
“Failure is the greatest teacher we have,” he said.
During his remarks, Bethel Park High School Principal Joseph Villani told the class they will always hold a special place in his heart for all they have been through together over the past four years.
Villani encouraged the students to treasure the relationships they built during these most challenging of times and to remember that Bethel Park will always be home.
Superintendent Dr. James Walsh lauded the Class of 2022 as a class that will “long be remembered for (its) resiliency and grit in the face of adversity.”
He also congratulated the Class of ’22 for sticking together during a really difficult period and for working collaboratively with their classmates and their teachers to solve problems never before faced by previous generations.
In keeping with the high school’s tradition, diplomas were presented to the four students who will enter the military.
Coordinating the presentation was 1974 graduate, retired Chief Master Sgt. Vic Guerra, whose distinguished 40-year military career led him to serve in the active-duty Air Force and in the Air National Guard as State Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.
Class President Kessid Wicker delivered the senior farewell, and led the tassel ceremony with SGA President Victoria Hoffman.
The commencement began with a moment of silence for Jon Gentile. A history teacher at the school, he died in a canoe accident in May.