The Eastern York High School Class of 2021 graduated on June 8 at the school's football stadium. Of the 154 graduates, Justin Ranker was named valedictorian and Taralyn Andes was named salutatorian.

A baccalaureate service was held on June 7 at Christ United Methodist Church, Yorkana.

To celebrate graduation, members of the Class of 2021 paid a visit to younger students in the district. "The seniors dressed in their graduation regalia and participated in an outside parade around the school buildings at Eastern York Middle School, Canadochly Elementary, Kreutz Creek Elementary and Wrightsville Elementary," said Terry Anne Doutrich, senior class adviser and commencement co-adviser. "It was an exciting time for the seniors to revisit their elementary schools and have an opportunity to have an impact on future generations."

Speakers at the graduation ceremony included Joseph Mancuso, superintendent of Eastern York School District, as well as high school principal Timothy Mitzel and school board president Jason Malone. Student speakers were Ranker, Andes and class president Nickolaus Dilley.

In his speech, Ranker discussed how perseverance has helped him achieve his goals and shared that being unconventional can lead to great accomplishments. At Eastern York, he was a member of the varsity baseball team all four years. He plans to attend Lebanon Valley College to earn a degree in biology and also play for the school's baseball team.

Andes spoke about improving her "obsession of striving for perfection" and offered her take on the temporary aspects of success. At Eastern York, she was a member of the band, orchestra and choir. She also participated in the school musicals and was a dancer with Innovations Dance Center. She plans to attend the University of New Haven to pursue forensic chemistry and forensic psychology.

Dilley spoke of the importance of making your own decisions. He played baseball for three years at Eastern York and also participated in this year's spring musical. He will attend Elon University to study psychology.

Doutrich noted the accomplishments of the Class of 2021, adding that 42% of students will be going into four-year programs, 10% will be entering two-year programs and 6% will be joining the military.

While last year's graduation ceremony was very different due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year offered a chance for a return to normalcy for the seniors. "For the Class of 2021, with the CDC guidelines less restricted near the end of the school year, this year seniors (were) able to have a full-fledged outside graduation program," Doutrich said.