Octorara JUNE 21, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
Octorara Class of 2023 celebrates graduation BY FRANCINE FULTON
he Octorara Junior-Senior High School Class of 2023 celebrated its graduation on June 7 during a special ceremony held on the front lawn of the school. The event, which marked the 67th annual graduation ceremony held at Octorara, featured student speakers, musical performances and comments offered by school administrators. The host of the event was Jonathan Propper, principal, who provided the welcome and a message to the students. “Graduates from the Class of 2023, I have no doubt that you’re prepared to leave Octorara and make this world a better place,” said Propper. “Your parents and teachers have worked tirelessly to shape and mold you into the wonderful people you are and the students that we are so very proud of.” Senior class president Julia Roth was next to address the audience. She talked about how years pass by in what seem like minutes. “Thirteen years or 2,340 days or 56,160 hours. That’s approximately how long our school career has lasted. All that time, but now it only feels like one minute,” she stated. “To the underclassmen, enjoy high school because it goes by too quickly. To my classmates, please take time to enjoy the moments we all know and the know the difference a singular minute can make.” She also thanked the parents in attendance for their support through the years. “You have sacrificed so much for us, and we are forever grateful. We will continue to make you proud and become the most successful people we can,” said Julia. The class valedictorian was Jackson Leaman. The salutatorian was Mackenzie Muldoon. In his speech, Jackson talked
BY FRANCINE FULTON
grades this fall, and another grade level will be added each of the two years afterward. “In the 2025-26 school year, we will be able to say we offer classes for preschool through 12th grade,” said WFCS principal Heather Furlong. See WFCS pg 7
The class valedictorian was Jackson Leaman (left) and the salutatorian was Mackenzie Muldoon.
about the impact of the pandemic on the students. “The Class of 2023 is the first graduating class that has had all four years of their education affected by the reality of COVID-19,” he said. “And yet here we stand at the finish line,
“Graduates from the Class of 2023, I have no doubt that you’re prepared to leave Octorara and make this world a better place.” tired and weary but resilient all the same. It would have been easy to give up or to lose heart, but each of us here today stayed the course.” He also mentioned graduate Mason Ellingsworth, who lost his legs during a tractor accident last year. Because of prosthetics,
Mason was able to walk across the stage to accept his diploma. “Mason Ellingsworth, you are an inspiration to us,” said Jackson. “All your heart of bravery and positivity, even in the face adversity, is incredible. Let that same spirit of resilience and relentless determination fill us all.” Class speaker Amy Tellez gave the final student speech, quoting author Ronan O’Brien, who stated, “Experience has taught me that what you love, you should love all the harder because someday it will be gone.” “This goes for everything I have experienced, learned, endured and cherished throughout my school years,” said Amy. “Although these are all memories now, I am so glad that I got to spend them here at Octorara.” Interim superintendent Jim Scanlon provided the concluding remarks.
Kendra Ridgway (left) and Heather Furlong are looking forward to welcoming ninth- and 10th-grade students.
Church to offer summer SPARK program BY FRANCINE FULTON
A scavenger hunt, bingo, yoga and an outdoor movie night are just some of the activities that will be featured at SPARK in the Park, a weekly program being offered this summer by Penningtonville Presbyterian Church. SPARK in the Park will kick off on Wednesday, June 21, from 7 to 8 p.m., and it will meet every Wednesday through Aug. 23 at Atglen Community Park, 400 Ridge Ave., Atglen. The event is open to the community,
and it will feature activities and games for people of all ages. Summer backyard games will be the activity on opening night. Featured on June 28 will be a scavenger hunt and Trivia/Quizzo Night. This is the second year that the church has offered the outdoor summer program. Pastor Eric Dorville explained that the program was meant to be an offshoot of Midweek Encounter, which meets on Wednesday nights at the church from October through May. That program includes free dinner and See SPARK in the Park pg 6
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WFCS to add grades nine and 10 this fall Building on a successful 80-plus-year history and as a way to meet the needs of the community, West Fallowfield Christian School (WFCS) will add ninth and 10th
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VOL XXXIII • NO 16
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