Penn Hills High School’s graduation ceremony was marked with cheers, dance moves, elation — and somber reflection.

“It’s been a long time coming, especially with the pandemic. We didn’t know it was going to happen,” said David Lubawski, one of 31 valedictorians that maintained a 4.0 GPA or better for four years. “It’s really great to be here. Everyone’s here. It is great energy; couldn’t ask for better.”

Commencement took place June 11 on the field of Yuhas-McGinley Stadium next to the high school. Parents and family members packed the bleachers.

The Penn Hills Class of 2021 had 304 graduates.

It was a return to a more traditional ceremony after last year’s drive-thru graduation, which featured families making appointments to come to the high school so their students could walk across a stage and get their diplomas.

No appointment was needed this time, and students in the class of 2021 were able to participated together.

“It feels really good to see the stands full, to see the graduates on the field and just seeing people start to come out of this,” said Principal Eric Kostic. “Although I always worry that we still need to take precautions to be safe, it was great seeing everybody here tonight. It was quite a class.”

There were dark clouds overhead, but the rain held off as several speakers delivered messages of hope and thankfulness.

Student council President Faith Crawford talked about how life’s ups and downs influence young lives and shape reality.

“Our victories and accomplishments have undeniably shown bright as we are here today, but they have not been the only contributor to our success as individuals,” Crawford said. “Our failures have strengthened our resiliency, allowed us to make mistakes and grow. They have also caused us to fear certain challenges, leading us to shy away from opportunity and experience. .…

“We have a choice every single day to wake up and decide whether we will fall victim to our failures or use them for fuel for our fire.”

Valedictorian Luke Hansen talked about overcoming adversity through action such as protests for racial equality, marches for gun control, dealing with anxiety and depression and other issues.

“While each of these adversities has been different for all of us, we’ve each gotten through them with something extremely important — each other,” he said. “Every one of us graduating here today can point at someone in the audience that has helped them overcome one of the many challenges we have faced in the last four years. I know each of you can look at someone and know that you’ve helped them as well.”

Valedictorians wore white. Other students were clad in school colors of red and gold. Most of the graduates decorated their caps with funny messages, designs or a nod to their future college or study.

Senior choir members sung the national anthem and the district’s alma mater.

School board President Erin Vecchio and Vice President Jackie Blakey-Tate assisted with handing out diplomas while senior class sponsor Matt Herdman read the list of names.

Senior class President Cassidy Byrnes led her classmates in the movement of tassels.

It was not all rounds of applause from start to finish.

There was a moment of silence in remembrance of students who would not make it to graduation.

Four high-schoolers died to violence or drugs since April. The district held a peace rally in late May.

“You can never feel better when you lose someone,” Lubawski said. “It’s the kind of anguish that doesn’t go away.

“You hope that it would never happen again. The pain that the community’s gone through, and the pain that the students have gone through has been tremendous. We wish they were here more than anything else in the world.”

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