On May 29, Penn Manor High School held a commencement ceremony to give diplomas to more than 400 graduates as they embark on the next chapter of their lives. The event took place at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster city, and the ceremony was kicked off with an opening address from principal Doug Eby.

Eby invited the audience to stand and cheer for the graduating students before highlighting the many accomplishments of the Class of 2024. Ninety-nine graduates achieved a grade point average of 4.0 or higher during their academic careers, and more than 50 students earned college credits or completed their first year of trade school as they finished high school. Ethan Benne was named Student of the Year by Penn Manor faculty members, and Nicole Faultz was recognized for having a perfect attendance during her senior year.

"Members of the audience, you are seated here as family, friends, and parents who have supported the graduates from birth through many of life's notable moments to reach this stage as graduates of Penn Manor," Eby told the crowd. "These graduates would not be here today without your unwavering support, love and guidance."

The ceremony included remarks from students Grace Gerner, Grace Hripto and salutatorian Suren Clark. "Graduates, one of the best things about Penn Manor is its ability to prepare you for life after high school," said Clark, who served as class president during his senior year. "Whether you are entering the workforce, the trades, seeking higher education, or anything in between, Penn Manor has provided the foundation that you can continue to build upon for the rest of your lives."

Valedictorian Cole Troop delivered a speech in which he highlighted the bittersweet excitement of saying goodbye to Penn Manor shared by members of the Class of 2024, reminding his classmates to face whatever the future may hold. "The past is a scary thing," Troop said. "We all have embarrassing moments that tend to haunt us in a funny, cruel way at random times during the day. Whether it was missing a wide-open shot, forgetting your line, or getting recorded falling in your driveway at 6:30 in the morning and then begging someone not to post it on the internet. But our past at Penn Manor is just the sound of our feet hitting the ground, ready to run, walk, or march into our future."