Central Mountain 18th Annual Commencement
BALD EAGLE TOWNSHIP — “Once a Wildcat, Always a Wildcat” was a theme repeated by several student speakers as Central Mountain High School conducted its 18th commencement ceremony at Malinak Stadium Friday night.
290 seniors received their diplomas from the school district administration and Keystone Central school board members, after which Principal Steve Turchetta formally presented the Central Mountain Class of 2017.
The 90 minute program was conducted on a gorgeous June night, the stadium filled to near capacity with family and friends. Turchetta told the senior class members to take the lessons they learned in four years at Central Mountain as they embark on a “new beginning.”
Student speakers talked about their school experiences. Class President Brody Baker, an avowed country music fan, invoked the lyrics from “Dig Your Roots,” a Florida Georgia Line song: “You gotta dig your roots, show some love back to your hometown.” He told his fellow students to never lose sight of where they came from, offering, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”
Farewell addresses were delivered by valedictorian Julianna Carpenetti and salutatorian McCartney Register. Both thanked their teachers, families and classmates, Carpenetti repeating, “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat,” and Register wished her classmates “the best experiences life has to offer.”
Musical selections included Connor Schall with a keyboard/vocal offering of “Castle on the Hill,” Aimee Hunsinger and Quinn McCluskey with a performance of “The Entertainer” and “Man in the Mirror” performed by Courtney Bianchi, Madison Dallen, Izyah Gerlach and Connor Schall with the school chorus.
