Donegal townlively.com
JUNE 18, 2025
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LXVI • NO 19
Preserving History and Shaping Tomorrow BY CAT SHANNON
At Elizabethtown College, students in the Public Heritage Studies Program have the opportunity to explore and preserve the rich local history of Lancaster County and beyond, while gaining hands-on experience that will prepare them for careers in museums, archives and history preservation. While the program is open
to college students, its benefits to the community extend well beyond the campus. The roots of the Public Heritage Studies Program run deep. Director Jean-Paul Benowitz, who has taught history at Elizabethtown for 33 years, began developing local history courses after publishing books on the history of the college and the borough in 2014 and 2015. What began as a certificate See History pg 2
Mia Seidel
Kathryn Fernald
Donegal Class of 2025 Looks to the Future
BY CAT SHANNON
family members to school staff. “It’s these people that teach us to serve our community even if no one is watching,” she said. “It’s these people that teach us to be kind to others, no matter the indifference. It’s these people that teach us to be patient with one another as we step into our own journeys.” Mia will attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she plans to major in psychology and philosophy, with a minor in German. Kathryn encouraged her classmates to picture themselves hiking up the mountains of life. “Look back at all the steep and difficult, as well as enjoyable and fun, sections of the mountain trails you have climbed,” she shared. “We, along with our faithful team of supporters, have
Jean-Paul Benowitz (left) teaches Elizabethtown College students.
Outdoors Experiences Will “Peak” Teens’ Interest
BY GEORGE DEIBEL
It’s said that faith will move mountains. Mountain Conquerors participants are neither required to move a mountain nor expected to scale one on their own. Instead they will have an oppor tunity to embark on a p o te nt i a l l y l i fe - a l te r i n g adventure. Mountain Conquerors is an
organization founded in 2010 by pastor Matt Kroll. “It is an outdoor camp that teaches leadership skills, life skills, and grows character,” he said. “It provides the experience of a lifetime. That’s our motto, and that’s what we do.” Until this year, the expedition, which is free thanks to sponsors, was only available for boys ages 13 to 16. MCg, Mountain Conquerors Girls, See Outdoors pg 4
See Class of 2025 pg 3
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he 71st commencement c e re m o ny a t D o n e g a l High School took place on June 5, when members of the Class of 2025 gathered to celebrate achievements and take the next step into the future. Mia McKenzie Seidel was named valedictorian, and Kathryn Rae Fernald earned salutatorian honors. Both students spoke at the ceremony, along with class president Ayomikun Akinrinwoye and Student Council president Isabella Messina. Delaney Witman sang the national anthem, accompanied by Trevor Engel on violin. In his speech, Ayomikun highlighted the achievements of his classmates from the sports fields to the stage. He also shared a poem
he wrote called “The Passionate Babble of a Baby.” “We stand, newly born, constantly adapting new forms,” he recited. “What now? More struggle, more choices. Is this the norm? So many emotions, yet so torn.” He shared his reflections on his years as a Donegal student and added, “The worst mistake we make as kids is saying, ‘I can’t wait to grow up.’” He encouraged his peers to be proud of themselves and ready to embrace a future that will include new adventures. In her speech, Mia acknowledged the unknowns she and her classmates will face as they become adults, but she remained hopeful that the Class of 2025 will overcome whatever comes their way. She thanked the people who have influenced the students, from
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