PVHS plans graduation ceremony

When Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) holds commencement exercises for the Class of 2024 at Calvary Church, 1051 Landis Valley Road, Lancaster, on Wednesday, May 29, at 6 p.m., three of the 115 students who will graduate will address friends, family, and faculty members.

Seniors Myles Furlong, son of Heather and Matt Furlong of Gap; Owen Hartmann, son of Kelly and Michael Hartmann of Gordonville; and Hannah McGowan, daughter of Sheri and Chris McGowan of Gap, have all prepared speeches to present.

Furlong has written a speech that tells the story of high school using a plotline that traces the rising action that occurs in freshman and sophomore years to a climax in junior year and completes the tale in senior year. "(The story will) encompass big moments of each year," said Furlong, noting he will emphasize how individual students build their character and finish with motivation. "(My speech will encourage) each student to after high school write their own unique stories that are important to them and inspiring to others as well," Furlong said. Following graduation, Furlong plans to major in engineering at Penn State University Park in State College. He said that his time at PVHS has been marked by the closeness between students and teachers. "You know almost every teacher," Furlong remarked. "If you need a resource or letter of recommendation, you have a lot of valid sources and people to reach out to."

Hartmann's speech explores the concept of high school as the foundation for both the individual students' personal futures and the future of society at large. "I bring in an analogy with the new building," said Hartmann, referencing the high school and middle school currently being constructed on the PVHS grounds. "There are all these parts and materials needed to build a school, and all these different people in the high school with their skills who come together to build a greater society," he said. In the fall, Hartmann will attend Penn State Harrisburg, where he will major in electrical engineering. Hartmann is glad he attended PVHS because of the many club opportunities open to students.

McGowan is proud to have attended a school that led the way in making technology a part of each student's daily education. "Schools have come here to ask how we did this," she stated. "It's nice to be part of a school that is looked up to like that." McGowan's speech will focus on the connections students have made throughout their Pequea Valley School District experience and what that means going forward. "Even though our schooling at PV is ending, we will still carry all those connections for the rest of our lives," she said. "We will still be connected to this place and our graduating class (members)." In the fall, McGowan will attend Coastal Carolina University to major in marine science.

Class president Nicholas Ammon, son of Deanna and Bruce Ammon, Gap, will give opening remarks and accept diplomas on behalf of his classmates. The ceremony will conclude with senior members of the Chamber Singers performing the school alma mater.