Seneca Valley grads urged to embrace change at commencement
Graduate attendees pass through metal detectors before the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley graduate Ryan Flowers, right, fist bumps his football coach Elliott Pater as teachers congratulate seniors during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley graduate, right, Ali Eckenrode, hugs seventh grade teacher Maggie Mollura as teachers congratulate seniors during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley graduates move their tassels during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley graduates toss their caps during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley graduates toss their caps during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Speaker at large Sydney Brower address graduates during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Graduate attendees pass through metal detectors before the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley graduate Ryan Flowers, right, fist bumps his football coach Elliott Pater as teachers congratulate seniors during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley graduate, right, Ali Eckenrode, hugs seventh grade teacher Maggie Mollura as teachers congratulate seniors during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley graduates move their tassels during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley graduates toss their caps during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley graduates toss their caps during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Speaker at large Sydney Brower address graduates during the Seneca Valley High School commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley High School held its annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Graduate Ryan Flowers, right, fist bumps his football coach, Elliott Pater, as teachers congratulate seniors during Seneca Valley High School’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Seneca Valley graduate Ali Eckenrode, hugs seventh-grade teacher Maggie Mollura as teachers congratulate seniors during Seneca Valley High School’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Graduates move their tassels during Seneca Valley High School’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Graduates toss their caps during Seneca Valley High School’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Graduates smile during Seneca Valley High School’s commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
JACKSON TWP — As Seneca Valley’s class of 2025 walked down the ramp toward NexTier Stadium to where the commencement ceremony would be staged, they headed away from the senior high school and into the future.
With graduation season upon the nine public school districts in Butler County, Seneca Valley held commencement for its 560 graduating seniors Thursday evening, May 29.
The ceremony, while reflecting on the accomplishments of graduating seniors, focused on what comes next for those departing students.
“It’s with great pride that we are here this evening. During this entire school year, it has been a pleasure to work with such an outstanding group of high school students. We’re here to recognize your accomplishments,” Robert Ceh, senior high school principal, told students.
Parents and family members in the crowd chanted — and even pounded on drums and blew air horns — when their graduating student’s name was called, celebrating the fact they made it to graduation. Faculty members high-fived and hugged students they have known over the years.
The celebration included district superintendent Tracy Vitale thanking the school board members in particular, as well as administrators and faculty for their commitment to the district, and called public schools the bedrock of democracy. She said she also felt the seniors needed to know how proud the faculty and community are of them.
“People only hear about some of the bad things kids do — it seems they forget we were all teens before — and from my seat, I get to see all the good things students do,” Vitale said.
The speeches students heard largely focused on what comes next.
Vitale talked about how important learned traits — such as collaboration, communication, creativity and critical thinking — are in the real world, and encouraged students to utilize those traits moving forward. Particularly in a changing world, where students will have to deal with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence — a topic on which Vitale focused — these qualities are ever important.
“In today’s world, especially in the age of artificial intelligence, these fields will matter more than ever. As AI shapes how we work, how we live, qualities like critical thinking and curiosity will help you use your skills wisely, hopefully ethically and with purpose,” Vitale said.
The commencement ceremony consisted of several student speakers who applauded their classmates for achieving their high school diplomas and urged them to embrace their next chapters.
“This world is about to be ours, and it is our advocacy that will change it,” senior Sydney Brower said. “I urge you to be the icebreaker, the presenter, or the protester. I urge each of you to start a conversation, play an instrument, give a compliment, sing a song, stomp your feet, clap your hands — and show the world you are here, and you are ready.”
The change, senior Rohin Jayaraman said, will be scary. But it will be exciting to see what the future holds, with students going to college in places such as Virginia, Illinois, Arizona and elsewhere.
“Change is one of the scariest things in life. And if I’m being completely honest, I’m terrified. But I know I have to give myself a chance. So I’ll embrace it, and I ask everyone to do so as well.”
