Aloha. Ciao. Salut.

At Lancaster Country Day School (LCDS), commencement is treated like a sendoff. Graduates are encouraged to go forth, apply the knowledge they have learned and do great things.

During the morning hours of May 20, LCDS conducted its 115th commencement at Gardner Theatre on its 29-acre campus in Manheim Township. More than 50 members of the Class of 2023 accepted their high school diplomas in an exciting and emotional ceremony.

"The mere name 'commencement' suggests a beginning," said Matt Micciche, LCDS head of school. "We absolutely think of it as a student's first step beyond their time here with us. We feel like it's setting them up for lives of purpose, lives of giving back. I think of it as more of a beginning than an end, because we want their relationships with us to continue into the future."

"There's really a sense of journey, of this being a milepost on a lifelong journey," continued Micciche. "If we've done our jobs as educators well, they're heading out into the world as people who never want to stop learning."

With about 500 people in attendance - family, friends, well-wishers, alumni, underclassmen and friends of the school - Lancaster Country Day's graduation ceremony was completed in just over an hour. Members of the faculty and administration showed the way as the seniors processed into Gardner Theatre after gathering in the gymnasium across the hallway.

The graduates were seated on risers on the theater's stage, from which they enjoyed speeches from staff and students and the announcements of awards. After each student was celebrated with his or her own special moment on stage, the graduates recessed to a modest reception in the gym.

"Our goal with commencement is for it to be a celebration of the students," said Micciche. "It's a culmination of the Lancaster Country Day experience, and some of the students have been with us for 14 or 15 years. For their families, it's a rite of passage."

Lancaster Country Day exists to prepare students for matriculation to higher education institutions, from large state universities to small private colleges and everything in between. Nearly all members of LCDS' Class of 2023 plan to begin pursuit of a college degree in the fall.

"I think the greatest emotion being felt was pride, pride in how far these students have come," said Micciche. "That is one of the greatest joys in education: You get to see students grow up right before your very eyes. There's also a sense of teamwork, because we've partnered with them to get to this point. It's a real pleasure and privilege to be part of this moment with these wonderful young people."

Micciche is in his first year as the head of school at LCDS, and the Class of 2023 will always occupy a certain spot in his heart.

"They'll always be special to me because they're my first senior class at LCDS," said Micciche. "They helped me get to know the community. They gave me insight into the student experience. What I learned is how deeply they value their community."