MAHANOY CITY — Members of the Mahanoy Area Class of 2016 received their diplomas Friday with pride for what they accomplished in their scholastic careers and what they hope to accomplish in the future.
The 68 graduates walked up the center aisle in the Joe Alansky Gymnasium in the high school that was jammed with parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, other relatives and friends. It was a time of smiles and tears, memories of the past and thoughts of the future. After the ceremony, they walked out of the school not as students, but as alumni.
As everyone settled in after the processional to music from the Mahanoy Area Varsity Band and the singing of the national anthem, class Treasurer Nolan Fegley gave the invocation, followed by the welcome from class Vice President Jennie Neifert.
After a musical selection from the high school chorus, district Superintendent Joie L. Green introduced the two student speakers — Valedictorian Madison Ansbach and Salutatorian Desiree Malacusky.
The first speaker was Malacusky, who began her thoughts about many things the class did that will be wonderful memories, the friendships made and how the walk into the future will bring about change in many ways.
“During our four years of high school together, we have grown as a class and enjoyed every second,” Malacusky said. “Together we have witnessed some great accomplishments. For example, our Lady Bears winning the District XI title, some of the FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) members making it to the states, our softball team winning the Division III title and the vo-tech students participating in cleaning up the town.”
In her concluding remarks, Malacusky said, “You may be going to college to become an engineer and end up a nurse. You can have your mind set on being a doctor and end up pursuing a degree in English. Maybe you intend to join the workforce, but find yourself wanting to go back to school. You may find yourself making some of these difficult decisions, and that is OK. Remember change will happen. Just embrace it with open arms and do not let it frighten you. It is important to just stay true to yourself and wherever you end up will be exactly where you are supposed to be.”
Ansbach focused on the meaning and importance of family, be it at home or school.
“Family plays an important role in all our lives,” Ansbach said. “But what is a family? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a family as a group of people who are related to each other. This is true. We all have grown up with our parents, guardians, siblings and grandparents. Maybe they all live in the same house. Then we also have our extended family that is made up of uncles, aunts and cousins.
“Although we all think we know what a family is, I believe there is another way to define family,” she continued. “Mr. Smith (high school principal) said at the beginning of the year assembly, ‛Mahanoy Area is a family and we will always stick together. Nobody will be left behind.’ It does not stop there, either. As we go on with our lives, we will find others that we will consider family.”
The student speeches were followed by Green introducing 2016 Outstanding Alumnus Robert A. Killian, who is a 1976 Mahanoy Area graduate and 1981 graduate of Mansfield University with an elementary education degree. A Mahanoy Area teacher for 35 years, Killian taught science for 25 years and mathematics for 10 years. As an instructor, he participated in the science fair, robotics, Wheelabrator Science Team and in science competitions in Vermont, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.
Killian was also active with the high school sports programs in basketball, football, junior high track, golf and weight lifting. He was an assistant coach on the school district’s winningest team in football, on one of the winningest teams in basketball and the winningest head golf coach with 230 wins, getting to the state championship in 2005.
Killian was also involved with boys’ and girls’ intramurals for 35 years and made pep rally speeches for 35 years. Killian is retiring, with the commencement being his last day.
Killian spoke to the seniors about his life and gave some great advice on how to go through life.
“Gang, you’re looking at a guy who was a failure. Listen to me, a failure,” Killian said. “But his failures became his success. When I was a boy and was sitting out there like you guys, I probably graduated with a solid 2.2 grade point average. I graduated in the bottom half of my class and I never made the honor roll. Never came close to the honor roll. And yet today, they call me a success. I was a kid who played basketball morning, noon and night. I absolutely loved the game. I was a stubborn kid who thought he knew all. Isn’t that funny, parents?”
Killian said he applied to many colleges that rejected him until Mansfield University took a chance on him and found that he loved the school. When he graduated with a education degree, he applied to Mahanoy Area and was hired by then-Superintendent John Murtin. He found out how to communicate with students to be the best teacher he could be.
“I always found a way to find their interests,” Killian said. “I always said to myself that if I could communicate with kids, educating kids will be the easiest thing in the world, and it has over my 35 years.”
Class of 2016 President Luke Holman presented the class mantle to Michael Joseph, president of the Class of 2017. A fireworks display was held to finish the festive evening.