Reading, writing and arithmetic. The high school experience imparts a great many lessons on a great many subjects to its students.

But perhaps the most profound lesson that schooling can teach young adults is how to be lifelong learners. A scholastic education can spark interest and create a thirst for knowledge and ideas that is unquenchable.

"I think graduation is both a beginning and an end," said Matt Fox, who's been the Conestoga Valley High School principal for two years. "It's an ending for high school students living their lives based on a timed schedule. It's the beginning of self-exploration and independence. Now they can set their own time schedules and set their own goals. I think we've laid a lot of the groundwork needed to be successful. But life isn't going to be as rigid as it was the last four years."

During the evening hours of June 6, CVHS sent forth 346 new members of society during its 67th commencement exercises held at Calvary Church. The two-hour celebratory ceremony afforded students, along with their families and friends, an opportunity to reflect on their scholastic careers, to revel in the moment and to peer into bright futures.

"I think it's a culmination of all the emotions," said Fox, who served as the commencement's master of ceremonies. "(The graduates) are excited for the next step. It's an excitement that has built up, and it ends with a celebratory time with family and friends."

After the students processed to their seats, the audience heard three inspirational student speeches - "Closing the Gaps" from Alex Rivera Jr., "The Power of Opportunity and Legacy" from Cindy Fuentes-Perez and general remarks from Class of 2025 president Camden Zoll. The crowd also heard from Conestoga Valley School District superintendent Daniel Hartman and school board member Idette Groff.

"The Class of 2025 would like to thank everyone who has helped lead to our success," said Camden. "First, we'd like to thank our many teachers and administrators we have had during our years here. You all have played a huge role in our journey and helping prepare us for the future."

The ceremony recognized Class of 2025 members Joshua Phenneger and Jahryn Stauffer for their military commitments to the United States Air Force and awarded the prestigious Robert Rill Medal of Honor to students Natalie Hopta and Tal Stoltzfus to recognize character, citizenship, academic achievement and extracurricular involvement. Then, Cora Glacken, who will pursue a degree in business administration from the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie-Mellon University, was announced as the class valedictorian, and Charolette Eby, who will pursue a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Virginia, was announced as the class salutatorian.

"My favorite parts are the student speakers and getting to shake the graduates' hands after they get their diplomas," said Fox. "I've worked with them for two years. Our student speakers stole the show."

Every member of the Class of 2025 heard his or her name read, walked across the stage, received a diploma from school officials and had a photograph taken. Before processing out, the new graduates were officially accepted by Hartman on the behalf of the board of directors, and they stood up and moved their tassels from the right sides of their caps to the left sides.

At that point, the formal celebration ended, and the informal celebrations began.

"What stood out to me about this class is that so many students have gone through the Conestoga Valley school system as a group," said Fox. "Many of these students have been together for their whole education careers. We have such a diverse group of students, and we're able to create student success. There are so many opportunities out there. All they have to do is take advantage of those opportunities."

More than 40% of CVHS' Class of 2025 will pursue some sort of postsecondary education or military service at 72 institutions of higher learning. Some members will go right into the workforce, and others will take a gap year.

"Education really gives (students) the skills they need to figure out their areas of interest," said Fox. "I think we put them through scenarios that prepare them for the real world. They have to learn what careers there are. As a high school graduate of Conestoga Valley, you have the education to explore all of those experiences."