Graduates Encouraged To Be Leaders

Manheim Central Graduates Encouraged To Be Leaders

BY CATHY MOLITORIS

The Class of 2022 at Manheim Central High School celebrated commencement on June 2 at LCBC Church, 2392 Mount Joy Road, Manheim.

Sophia Harrill was named salutatorian. At Manheim Central, she participated in all-national, all-state, regional and district choirs, as well as science club and more. She plans to attend Lafayette College to major in chemical engineering.

Sydney Heisey, class co-president, was named valedictorian. In high school, she was involved in student government, National Honor Society, Interact, the thespian club and more. After graduation, she plans to attend Liberty University to major in zoo and wildlife biology. In her speech to her classmates, she related her experience tackling a via ferrata, an intense climbing route, in West Virginia with her family. “I learned the lesson of ambition,” she said. “It is our individual responsibility to keep ourselves driven and to determine our success.”

Principal Joshua Weitzel highlighted achievements of the Class of 2022, including five section titles in athletics, hundreds of hours of volunteer work, multiple state and national music awards and numerous foreign language awards. He noted that more than 75% of the class plans to pursue further education after high school. “I look to this generation to be the next group of leaders,” he said. “I welcome the Class of 2022 to serve as positive examples of leaders who influence others toward a brighter path forward.”

Senior Jiahnny Laboy spoke about self-love and making sure her classmates take care of themselves. She spoke about her love of basketball and how injuries changed the course of her life, calling her injuries “a minor setback for a major comeback.” She advised her class that “self-love is selfless, and the universe becomes a better place when you love yourself first.”

Senior Lisa Peng spoke to her classmates about facing obstacles and how to overcome them. She related her story of having a learning disability and how it made her a stronger person. “If you ever think about giving up, put it into perspective,” she said. “You can make hundreds of mistakes. You can question yourself all you want, but teach yourself that it’s part of the journey and that you are human and smart in your own ways.”

Senior Luke Redcay was presented with the Baron Von Stiegel Award, given to the member of the current graduating class who most demonstrated the qualities of scholarship, leadership and character. It is considered the most prestigious award given by Manheim Central High School.

Manheim Central graduate David Cooper, a member of the Class of 1983, was the keynote speaker. A Navy SEAL, he spent 25 years in the military, including 19 years at the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, where he completed dozens of deployments throughout the Middle East and other war-torn regions.

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