Jefferson graduates class of 2024

May 18—JEFFERSON — Families of graduating seniors from the Jefferson Area High School Class of 2024 had five minutes to get selfies with their beloved graduate before they were called back to ceremonies by JALS Superintendent John Montanaro.

"Thirty seconds, let's go," as he called the graduates back to their chairs to listen to words of wisdom provided by area leaders and fellow students.

"It's the next step in life," said Nicholas Gaskins after taking a picture with family and heading back to his seat.

Joe DeGeorge was called upon to take a selfie of his entire class from the stage.

"Remember you are and will always be a Jefferson Falcon," Montanaro said.

JALS Board of Education President Scott Ardary reminded the graduates they have a choice to be "victorious" or "victims." He provided a long list of people who went on to great achievements in life after suffering difficult childhoods.

Ardary said they refused to give up and fall into becoming victims. The examples included Oprah Winfrey, who overcame sexual abuse as a child to own a television network, and Abraham Lincoln, who suffered many defeats before leading the United States through the Civil War.

"We were made to be victorious. We were not made to be victims," he said.

These were people who wouldn't give up at the first sign of adversity, Ardary said. He also encouraged the graduates to always thank those who made their success possible.

"The little thins in life are what make life rich. Don't lose your uniqueness. ... Don't allow the world to change you," he said.

JAHS Principal Rich Shields announced the top 10 students including valedictorian Adrianna Brass and salutatorian, Makena Roberts.

Brass, also the class president, spoke on behalf of her fellow graduates, remembering when she thought "I can't wait" about the next phase in her educational life.

She urged her fellow students to live the rest of their lives in the moment without always looking forward to the next phase.

'"Time has not stopped for us and it's never going to," she said.

Brass urged her classmates to look inside and realize their potential.

"I see something beautiful in each and everyone one of you," she said.

Brady Talcott was the second class speaker and he looked back on the history of the students time together.

"None of this feels real. I remember 2011 [and] our first day of kindergarten," he said.

"Whatever passage you choose, take it one step at a time," Talcott said.