Butler Class of 2021 embraces the future
The Butler Senior High School Class of 2021, grateful for the support they received to make it through a challenging senior year, is looking forward to the challenges they will face in the future.
The 438 members of the graduating class on Friday received their diplomas at the commencement ceremony held in Art Bernardi Stadium.
The Butler Area, Slippery Rock Area, Karns City Area and Mars Area school districts all had commencement ceremonies Friday.
Mason Grenci, who graduated as an honor student with distinction, asked his classmates to remember the challenges and difficulties they faced, and how they worked to overcome them and achieve success. He said the best and worst times they faced deserve gratitude.
“We are resilient, innovative and, most importantly, kind,” Grenci said. “It is impossible to be thankful and unhappy at the same time.”
Taylor Reinsel, class secretary and an honor student with distinction, said the class met the challenges of the school year.
“We are not judged by the past year, but how we respond,” Reinsel said.
She said she is grateful to the community, school staff, friends and family for providing support and encouragement.“I will choose to be grateful,” she said.Cody Stroup, class president, thanked his classmates for electing him president and encouraged them to embrace the future.“When we all get home tonight, there won't be any school tomorrow,” Stoup said. “Don't be scared. Embrace it.”He urged the class to build relationships and make the world a better place.“Change the world and leave it better than we found it,” Stroup said.Emma Teff, co-valedictorian, said high school provided the foundation for graduates to build upon in the future.“These four years have been foundational, but only foundational. This ending is only the beginning,” Teff said.She called on the class to pursue their goals, seek happiness and be grateful to teachers, friends and family for helping prepare them for the future.
Chloe Paulisick is the other co-valedictorian as well as class vice president.High school Principal John Wylie commended the class for an outstanding job of overcoming the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.The students endured remote classes when school was closed and wearing face masks and social distancing when school was in session.“They rose to those challenges. They found ways to be successful,” Wylie said. “It's your turn to take the world by storm.”Superintendent Brian White praised the students for their hard work and wished them success in the future.“You are the life of the community,” White said.
