CVHS schedules graduation ceremony

When the Conestoga Valley High School (CVHS) Class of 2023 graduates at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, on Tuesday, June 6, at 7 p.m., two of the seniors will address the gathering. Both Sara Geleta and Elyse Emrey were chosen by a panel based on video auditions to give speeches at the event.

Sara is the daughter of Solomon Geleta and Gete Buli of Lancaster. She has given her speech the working title "In a Flash." "(My speech) talks about how fast our high school careers went (before) it transitions into acknowledging the opportunity we have now that we have graduated," Sara explained. For Sara, one of those opportunities will be studying at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in the fall. She plans to major in political science in hopes of eventually going into law. She noted that her time at CVHS was marked by opportunity as well. "(At CVHS) I was able to try a lot of new things," she said, noting that just this past year she participated in a number of different clubs. "(The experience) helped me to learn about myself and what my interests are," she said. Sara noted that her drama experience at CVHS has helped to quell any pre-graduation jitters, but she noted it will be different addressing her peers rather than performing for a diverse audience.

Elyse is the daughter of Matthew and Susan Emrey of Leola. Elyse will have the unique experience of giving her high school graduation speech exactly 26 years to the day that her mother addressed her graduating class at Garden Spot High School. When she told her mother she was thinking of auditioning, Susan encouraged her, and Elyse then used Susan's speech for inspiration in writing her own, which she calls "Counting Down." "I focused on how we all rush through life during our four years of high school," she said. "We are always moving on to the next thing." Elyse noted she will then counsel her classmates to take it easy. "We should slow down and try to enjoy each day," she stated. In October of 2023, Elyse will attend Lancaster School of Cosmetology. She plans to eventually focus on hair with the long-term goal of owning her own salon. She is glad she attended CVHS because of the variety the school offered. "CVHS is very diverse," she pointed out. "You meet a lot of different people and have a lot of opportunities with clubs and sports. I like the diversity."