Andrew Cowan, Fredonia’s Salutatorian, walked over to High School Principal Darrin Paschke from his seat on stage. Just a few minutes earlier, he gave a powerful speech to his fellow graduates. As Paschke turned to embrace Cowan, the two shared a laugh. Their smiles lit up the stage even brighter than the concert hall lights ever could.

One hundred Fredonia graduates received their diplomas on Sunday afternoon. Each had their own highlights in their academic journeys to reach that point.

Paschke welcomed the graduates and their support systems to the event, the 94th annual commencement ceremony for Fredonia High School. Sunday’s commencement was Paschke’s final act before retirement as High School Principal of the district he graduated from himself back in 1987.

Paschke thanked his family for their support over his 33 years with the district in his professional career, including his wife, Nitida, his high school sweetheart. He called Nitida his “Lady Hillbilly” and the love of his life, and thanked her for helping him do the best he could for the students of Fredonia.

Charles Domenico, Fredonia High School Senior Class President, receives his diploma from Principal Darrin Paschke.

Throughout the ceremony, speakers gave thanks to Paschke, to the district as a whole, and to its Board of Education. Cowan said Paschke “touched the lives of countless students” as principal. He turned to Paschke during his Salutatorian’s Address and said, “Please know that you will be truly missed at the school, and that we appreciate all that you have done.”

The commencement ceremony featured musical performances by Gilen Gottinger, Emmanuel Rose, Andrew Kinney and Charles Domenico.

Speakers included Student Council Vice President Haley Zadzilka, Senior Class President Charles Domenico, Student Council President Luca Gullo, Salutatorian Andrew Cowan, Valedictorian Benjamin Feit, and Commencement Speaker Dr. Mark Newton, a graduate of the Class of 1995.

Cowan said to his fellow graduates, “Do what you know is righteous and courageous. Leave no doubt. The right time for the right thing is always right now.”

Fredonia Valedictorian Feit, a National Merit Scholarship finalist, spoke of his favorite book, “Les Miserables,” during his address. He spoke to the theme of redemption and facing the choice of who one wants to be. Feit connected that choice to each graduate of Fredonia High School as they move forward in life.

Fredonia Salutatorian, Andrew Cowan, smiles as he receives his diploma from Principal Darrin Paschke during the Fredonia High School graduation ceremony at SUNY Fredonia on Sunday afternoon.

“We now possess powerful resources (to make) our own choices about who we are and what shall define our lives from this moment henceforth,” Feit said. He implored his fellow graduates to “utilize the opportunity to its fullest” to cultivate a “successful, meaningful life of any type.”

The Lauren Arch Memorial Scholarship winners were Frances Tucker and Sam Garaas-Johnson. The scholarship fund was established to honor the legacy of Lauren Arch, a talented young artist who died from complications from COVID-19 during her senior year at Fredonia in 2023.

The Ricky Burgstrom Music and Bowling Scholarship winners were Domenico, Leah Marsh, Emily Schwertfeger and Connor Sullivan.

The Roger L. Pacos Memorial Scholarship winners were Cowan, Kinney, Lydia LaBarr, and Ashton Putney.

Cowan, who was accepted into the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point, spoke to the importance of strong character and leadership.

Fredonia High School Principal Darrin Paschke applauds the class of 2025 during his final commencement ceremony as principal.

“The world’s greatest minds thrive from taking a step back and gathering themselves. Each of them have a moral compass — the same as you — and a set of values that define who they were and what they believed,” Cowan said.

He continued, “Now more than ever, the world is in dire need of leaders — leaders with a strong moral compass who are willing to ask tough questions to find tough answers. … The nation depends on leaders that can adapt and grow to help push the country forward. We are up to the challenge.”