Traditionally held outdoors and open to the public, graduation is a much anticipated community gathering in the village. Mid-afternoon rain led to relocation consideration and delay concerns, but the clouds conveniently cleared ahead of the 7 p.m. ceremony.

The celebration began with the graduates joyfully proceeding onto the field as the bleachers overflowed with well-wishers.

Lily Nuwer, president of the Class of 2025, led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance prior to the singing of the national anthem by the Gowanda High chorus under the direction of Mrs. Robin Smith.

Superintendent Dr. Robert B. Anderson delivered remarks and read the land acknowledgement, noting that the district resides on the ancestral lands of the Haudenosaunee. Principal Rebekah Moraites followed with a welcome, an expression of gratitude, and introduction to the 76 graduates. Congratulatory remarks were offered by Mr. Todd Gates, a council member of the Seneca Nation of Indians, who offered the graduates some advice.

Karice John is pictured receiving a hug. She plans to study liberal arts and sciences at Hilbert College.

“As you live your lives, take the time to visit family and friends and the champions that have helped you along the way. As a grandparent myself, we are living our lives though our children, nieces and nephews and grandkids,” said Gates. “Nya-Weh for your attention and as we say in Seneca ‘ja-goh’ good job and ‘esgoh geh ih’ until we meet again.”

Salutatorian Tessa Kohn, who plans to attend Binghamton University and major in nursing with a minor in global studies, then spoke.

“We cannot believe that this is where our stories plateau or freefall, this is just the start of a trail through the mountain range we call life,” said Kohn, who is the daughter of Scott and Jessica Kohn. “When you look back, don’t open your conceptual time capsule and see lists of things you never got to accomplish. You should aspire to open it to find all of the checked boxes and relationships that you held true to.”

Valedictorian Jillian Gernatt, who plans to study nursing at St. John Fisher University, began her remarks by expressing gratitude to her family and district staff for their constant support.

“Today marks an end to a chapter, but there’s a whole book left to be written. And you decide what comes next. You decide what the first step will be. You decide what you will do with today,” said Gernatt, who is the daughter of Nicholas and Jennifer Gernatt. “I want to assure you that it is okay to not know what tomorrow will bring, it’s OK to think you have it all figured out and change your mind. It’s OK if the next chapter or maybe the next few are full of self-discovery, setbacks, and unpredictable changes. We’re not meant to know all of the answers today – embrace being a work in progress.”

Zayne Laskey, senior class representative, introduced keynote speaker, Mr. David Smith, assistant principal at the middle and high schools, president of the Cattaraugus County Health Board, and former longtime village mayor.

Smith reminisced about how long he has known the Class of 2025 and included numerous personal anecdotes about most of the graduates in his remarks.

“My mom always used to say ‘No matter where you go, make your own sunshine wherever you are.’ I have tried to do that in all aspects of my life,” said Smith. “Lean on those you love and that love you and keep fighting for what you want in life – because you deserve it!”

Principal Moraites then introduced the Class of 2025 before joining Dr. Anderson and Max Graham, president of the Board of Education, class advisor Mrs. Randi Dauoheuang, and administrative assistant Mrs. Breven Nowakowski in the presentation of diplomas.

Danielle Krajewski and Lily Nuwer, senior class treasurer and president, respectively, then led the graduates in the traditional turning of the tassels.

Afterward, the graduates celebrated on the field and paused to take snapshots with their loved ones as the recessional “Pomp & Circumstance” played.