Wayne Highlands School District is CLOSED on Friday, November 22, 2024.

Article Courtesy of Peter Becker, Tri-County Independent

Honesdale's Class of 2023 first in 30 years to graduate in auditorium

Far above Historic Irving, Honesdale High School's 148th commencement was held Saturday in the high school auditorium. Reopened last fall after the auditorium's first major renovation since the school opened in 1959, the Class of 2023 was the first in approximately 30 years to graduate from there.

Honesdale High School proudly presented the One Hundred and Forty-Eight Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 11:00 A.M.

Among the 160 students, there were 11 whose grade point averages ranked them Summa Cum Laude; 11 as Magna Cum Laude and 10 as Cum Laude.

Class President Anna Coar’s theme was “You’ve Moved Mountains.”

The challenges they faced in their schooling through the COVID pandemic, Coar said, were handled with grace and dignity. She said there will always be uphill battles, but it is not about how fast we overcome them, rather it is waiting for what is ahead.

In her speech, Salutatorian Amaya Yarrish said: “It is hard to let go and even harder not to anticipate but living in the present is how we can make a difference; and this is the path that leads to change.”

Valedictorian Jessieca Aguasin said that the experience and knowledge they have gained from “Honesdale High School and the people in this town” will benefit the graduates facing the future. She said no matter where they end up, they will always be welcomed home.

Principal Dr. Peter Jordan awarded a diploma posthumously for Timothy Howey who died in 2021 at age 16 and was part of this class. His mother and stepfather accepted the diploma. Timothy’s twin brother Jeremy graduated that day.