Wilkes-Barre Area celebrates Class of 2025
Jun. 4—WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Wilkes-Barre Area celebrated the Class of 2025 Wednesday with a commencement ceremony at the Mohegan Sun Arena. This year's seniors were the first to graduate after spending four full years in the new high school.
Speakers included Valedictorian Angelena Tokiko Mendola, Salutatorian Angelique Maxine Calise Martinez, Principal Michael Grebeck and Superintendent Brian Costello.
For more information about the ceremony, including a full list of graduates, be sure to check out the Times Leader's special graduation section publishing later this month.
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39 minutes ago
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Do the right thing. Readers shared this and other advice to the class of 2025
As the Class of 2025 prepared to graduate, we asked readers: What advice would you give to your younger self if you were in the Class of 2025? Over 30 Naples Daily News readers shared their advice with us. Below are their submissions. Some entries have been edited for spelling. To the Graduating Class of 2025: Congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone. As someone who recently moved to Naples and has spent years working as a graphic designer, I want to share something from the heart: the world needs your talent—but even more, it needs your purpose. Whatever path you choose — whether in medicine, art, technology, or education —remember this: you're not just working for a paycheck. You're working for people. Your actions, your ideas, and your effort can have a real impact on someone's life. I believe in the power of dreaming big — but not just for ourselves. Dream big for your community. Dream of ways to make the world more fair, more kind, more connected. The world changes when people like you decide that it can. You don't have to be perfect. You just have to care. Show up, listen, and use your skills to build, heal, and inspire. As a designer, I've learned that creativity isn't just about making things look good—it's about making life better for others. You can do that, too. Whatever your talent is, use it for good. The future isn't written yet. You are the ones who will design it, build it, and make it better. So go forward boldly — with open minds, big hearts, and the belief that you can make a difference. Because you absolutely can. — Andrea Descans Castro * Enjoy life embrace your parents through it all because when you are almost 40 and look back all the "small" things they did for you are the ones that mattered the most! Study Hard and achieve those goals so you won't be almost 40 and going to night classes. — Isela Aguilar * Hope you have started looking for a job. Remember to contact the alumni office. Many times there are posting by alumni for certain type of jobs they have available and you might qualify for. — Anina Bachrach * Enjoy. Stay safe, don't forget to be respectful. If you drive, don't drink. Thank your parents. — James Connor * Be yourself. Plain and simple. Do what you want to do. Set your mind to whatever and work hard to achieve that goal Don't listen to what others tell you to do Think big. Dream even bigger. You know yourself better than any else. Follow your heart and enjoy yourself! — Brian Roberts * Put the phone down and get to work. — Nancy Skelly * Congratulations Class of 2025. As you go forward in life, get older and gain life experiences, just remember to always do the right thing. It doesn't matter if it's in your world with family and friends, the business world or the larger picture of the entire world. Doing the right thing will bring you rewards, happiness and the best feelings when you show compassion, respect and courtesy to everyone you meet. This advice is not only for the human race, but for the animal race as well. Good Luck to all of you in your future and make a positive difference for the entire world to benefit from your actions. — Steven Lerman * Never forget that somebody out there needs you. When you get down or listen too much to the negative thoughts in your brain, get out of the house and do something good for someone else. It's easy to start making a difference — even a simple smile is a good place to start to change someone else's mood — and maybe even your own. — Darcy Eikenberg * Take your time with living in the present moment and do not overthink about the future. You have time in life, just manage and spend it well. Always strive for what you want the most, no matter what hindrances you may have. Keep going and do not give up! It will all be worth it in the long run. — Eileen Yearton * Open a Roth IRA, start contributing to it, even if it's only $10 a month to start. If you can afford a random late night McDonald's run, you can afford supporting your future self. Do the same buying bitcoin, even better if you can buy the bitcoin in that Roth IRA. — Jason LoRusso * My advice is timeless for all graduates ... use networking to leverage your contacts no matter what field of endeavor you choose to pursue. People in your network know people outside your network who may be able to help you in finding a job position/opening you never knew existed. Ask people in your network for referrals to aid in a targeted job search and ask for introductions. I guarantee this type of job search greatly raises your potential for success versus answering cold, generic job postings. Don't be afraid to talk to people in your chosen field who you know aren't hiring right now. They may be able to introduce you to someone in the field who has a current opening or at least keep you as a contact if future positions open up. Remember ... networking works! — John Boritzke * Pursue your passion! — James Westrick * The world is unlimited, and find value in what you choose in life. Be the best that you can be, education is found not only in books but in personal growth and experiences. Fear not mistakes, as we learn from all experience, and focus on going forward. Celebrate the smallest of wins, the blessing you are given, and rely on God for strength. Always know in life, you are never alone, friends, family and love will always be with you, wherever life leads you. The journey of life is short and the success of time here, is a small fragment of the world among us! — Jerelyn Clack * As you start your life journey there are four issues that you must understand, accept, and manage them as you will experience all of them. They are: adversity, failure, aging and death. Your first most critical decision is objectively balancing your aspirations with your abilities. aiming too high is as bad as aiming too low. Beyond that keep strong moral and financial discipline; avoid instant gratification and unwise leverage; and maintain respect for your family bonds. Your end objective should be to leave no scars on your legacy, friends or country. — Jerry Carson * Take some chances. — John Walker * Know the difference between Needs and Wants. — John Tepel * No matter how bad or tired you feel, show up! — Wayne Achey * If at all possible, get a college education preferably at a college in the northeast (I.e. NYC, NJ, MA, CT). This area has always outpaced the rest of the country in terms of opportunity and income. It's not too early to think about your career path. Not sure what your job interests and abilities are? Start networking now. And finally, when that first job opportunity comes along — take it! Job experience is invaluable going forward. Best of luck in your next journey. — Laurence Jones * Be responsive to the needs of everyone. — Vincent DiGiorno * Be confident in who you are. Believe that you can make a difference in the world and make the choice to do so. — Len Solcz * Be happy ... select choices that make you happy … nothing is written in stone, so changes will happen or can be made to happen. There are many steps in life you may go through. All we know is today. In your happiness, be kind, generous & loving. — Linda Gustafson Williams * There's an old story to always pay yourself when you get paid from your employer. Best to set aside $100 every month in a mutual fund. If you work for yourself the rule still applies. After 40 years you're going to have a nice chunk of change. — Laurence Jacks * Congrats! You've completed the easiest part of your life! Now, stay delusionally confident. It's your only real weapon. Doubt will scream, bills will threaten violence, and 'normal' will try to seduce you. Ignore it. Build the loud, messy, brilliant life your 10-year-old self would fist pump for. And remember, no one cool ever played it safe. — Cat Rives * Always look for the good in people. Learn to love and not hate. There is good in everyone. — Monica Goodwin * Willingness to be open to new potential employment opportunities and never be afraid of failing. — Nancy Daurio * In 1971. I graduated from Naples High School. After a teacher put a poster of a College in Paris, where I could receive American credits, I applied and was accepted. I was the first student from Naples to ever study abroad, right out of graduation. People asked me what I studied, and I tell them life. There is no better education than traveling and seeing how the rest of the world lives. Congratulations 2025! — Pedro Blanco * My advice to you is to always keep your options open. Things that may be of value now, may not be in the future. 3 things: 1) Invest in your Retirement- $100 this year will be worth thousands when you're 65, 2) never use your retirement savings to buy a car or a house, 3) Be all that you can be! Use your talents to do something that you like to do — but make sure you don't sell yourself short. If you like what you're doing, it's way better than a "drudge job" ... but don't limit yourself to the box people put you in. — Dave Paruti * My biggest advice is to try to live in the moment. I found when I was younger, I was always rushing — to the next meeting, to the next flight, to the next job, to the next child's event … and my thoughts were always on what I needed to do next. I wished I had taken a deep breath and enjoyed the moments more and not be so preoccupied with what was next. In the quest for more — better job, better car, better home — take the time and energy to make sure you are grateful for what you already have. If you aren't grateful for what you have how do you really know you will be happy with more. — Regina Kunkle * First and foremost, "congratulations!" This is a milestone in your life with which you can be proud! Be mindful of those who helped you during these years, from parents to teachers and all of the others that provided support and encouragement, these individuals have provided the "base" upon which you will build the successive dimensions of your life! At the same time, please be patient with yourself! Life is a process not an event! Whether you are starting a new job, or continuing your education, be aware of others around you that might serve as mentors (these individuals are very special and should be appreciated!). Learn (yes, it never stops!) at every opportunity that is before you! From small considerations, like being polite and respectful, to more comprehensive activities, like accepting responsibilities and seeing a job to completion, all of these activities will combine to provide a springboard to the next levels in your life's journey! Good luck! — R. Jury Richard Jury * Dear Graduates, My challenge to you today is to never underestimate the power of your ability to make a difference in the lives of those around you. You don't need money to do it, you only need the conviction of commitment and the courage to challenge today's status quo. Your strength to make a difference is not in your physical being but in your mental and moral compass that each of us possess. The instincts to know when someone needs help, when someone is hurting and needs the comfort and compassion of a receptive ear or an encouraging word of support. To those younger than you, be a role model, to those less fortunate be a beacon of hope, to those who despair, be a lightning bolt of inspiration and to those who may doubt you, challenge them to not only believe in the possibilities that lies within them, but also the power to make a positive difference in those around them. Challenge them to pay it forward, not with the wealth they might possess, but with the wisdom and power of the experiences and lessons of life that they themselves have experienced and have impacted their life's, both negatively, and positively, for learning from both of those spectrums, will provide a true life lesson to guide them for the rest of their life. I challenge you today, to leave this day of celebration committed to make, not only your life a better one for the experiences that have been your inspiration, but to share them, and pay it forward. For it's your power, your potential, your positivity, and most of all your possibilities that can change not only the world, but the life of that one single individual who will have their life changed because of YOU!! — Rick Korb * Interview people in different professions, do not study something general after college like general business, and reach for your dreams! — Robbie Maris-Rodriguez * Don't ever settle for less and never give up on your dreams. Also establish a good credit score by borrowing and paying off debts completely. — Victoria Collins * This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Graduation advice to the Class of 2025: Be grateful
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Kamala Harris makes surprise appearance at Compton High School graduation ceremony
Former Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance at the Compton High School graduation ceremony on Thursday. Though she didn't give a speech, she spent the entire ceremony on stage as the more than 300 graduates and their families filled the school's brand new football stadium. In a post on X, Harris said that she was personally invited to the commencement by one of the school's seniors named MyShay Causey. Their conversation took place after the student saw Harris and her husband dining at a restaurant where she was an employee. "She wrote a note to me and shared it with him, telling me about her incredible work in her community and her dream to work in education policy," Harris' post said. "We spoke on the phone, and she invited me to attend Compton High School's graduation. It was my honor to attend her ceremony today and celebrate the outstanding Class of 2025." The Compton Unified School District shared video footage of the event, which shows some seniors taking selfies with Harris and even being handed what looked to be an honorary diploma from CUSD Board President Micah Ali. According to an Instagram post from the district, Causey was one of the 87% of graduation seniors who were accepted into two and four year colleges, which include Cornell, UCLA, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine, among many others. "This is more than just a graduation — it's a moment that will live on in Compton history," the post said.
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a day ago
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'To thine own self be true.' Readers shared this and other advice to the class of 2025
As the Class of 2025 prepared to graduate, we asked readers: What advice would you give to your younger self if you were in the Class of 2025? Over 20 readers shared their advice with us. Below are their submissions. Some entries have been edited for spelling. Be open to new ideas, new people. Experience adventures, travel as much as possible as it educates your brain but mostly in opens your heart. Practice empathy as it helps you mature! Tell your mirror image every morning that you're worth it, because you are. We all need your energy and enthusiasm! — Kate McCord * Congratulations, this may be your first "real life changing accomplishment" your graduation from high school, but it will not be your last! Establish a mindset of positive expectation when you awake. Go through your days "looking to see the opportunities placed in your path." They will be there, your job is to recognize them and act on them. It's being able to "live in the moment," not be obsessed with yesterday or even tomorrow. Your focus should be on the here and now because that is the only REAL world you are living in. Yesterdays are memories and your tomorrows will depend on your actions TODAY, here and now. I ask you to embrace this Truth- you attract to you what you hold strongly as your beliefs, - believe in the good, the just, and the kindness in your generous dealing with others. If you can 'Live The Golden Rule' you will have fewer regrets and many more beautiful experiences in your life. Second - Every day find something to be grateful for, then feel and express your GRATITUDE! Say Thank get out there and make a difference in our world, one act at a time! — Arlene McCarthy * Congratulations! Milestones are to be celebrated and take a moment to reflect on your accomplishment. Don't believe anyone who says this is the best time of your life. Set new goals and believe in all of the possibilities of the days ahead. My first graduation occurred 'BTI' — Before The Internet. Any advice tossed my way likely came the way of an actual face to face conversation. Do I remember it all? Of course not. But one statement decades ago has lingered and proven to be absolutely true. A wise man shared with me, 'You are responsible for the advice you take, not the advice you are given.' Admittedly, the world now 'ATI' meaning 'After the Internet' offers endless words, instructions, and images, both personally and artificially generated of questionable authenticity. A title has been bestowed to those most successful in capturing your intention and dollars, the 'influencer.' Take a pause, take a breath. Put the phone down for a moment. Maybe you don't always agree, but listen and share time with those that truly love and care for you, not those interested in selling you for their personal gain. Be brave, take risks, reflect and learn from both the good and the bad. Be generous to those that need a hand. Perhaps not financially (yet) but share your greatest commodity, which is time. Listen twice as much as you speak. Keep educating yourself whether formally, through trades, or training. Be open to ideas and dialogue. Never be afraid to question anything and everything. Register and commit to vote. These are a few truths that have sustained many. But reflecting back on the most memorable advice from decades ago — be responsible. Be one of your word. Develop your truth, your compass, and go for the endless, amazing, unpredictable experiences of life. The best is truly yet to come. — Caroline Boland * Skip all you want as long as you do your work, you'll be fine, also remember that you may start with a huge group of friends but in the end the only friend you have is yourself!! Who you hang around defines who you are! — Edith Contreras * Graduates: You have achieved a great deal toward a successful future. But there is still a great deal to go. Listen to people wiser than yourselves as you approach each step of your life. Don't depend upon false advice that infests the easy media platforms. Not sure about someone's advice? Seek objective opinions. But always follow your heart's desire. Make sure you have: love for your choice of employment. Love in your choice in friends. And of course, love for your future family. If you fail or just take a wrong step or two, don't let an individual failure stop you from moving on toward your next success. Finally, look for adventures when you can. They add up to a full life. — Gary Firestone * We begin with a quote from Hamlet. "To thine own self be true". Whatever seems important due to the opinions of your peers and influencers will fade. We live in a transient society and relationships will come and go many times. The opinions of others ultimately will fade as you make your life's path choices and in the end your happiness will depend on what you yourself desire. Pursue your passion and as the lyric goes, 'Do what you love and call it work.' Don't let hope become a memory. Within the conversation with yourself lies the answers if you dare to find them. Tinker, tailor, soldier, or sailor; become whatever lights the fire in you. — Michael Kintzel * Do yourselves a favor and listen to your parents' advice. Believe it or not they do know what they are talking about and although they are 'annoying' (yes, I am an annoying parent) they have been through it all and know the score. They will also always be there to catch you if you fall. And if you aren't fortunate enough to have an annoying parent, take a teacher's advice. They also think you are important and only want the best for you! — Ingrid Walsh * Have a growth mindset. Be willing and able to make mistakes, but with the understanding that learning happens when you stretch yourself, fall down but then pick yourself back up and KEEP GOING. Try to remember that it is okay to fail sometimes, and it is only an opportunity to grow. If you are able to learn that, you can go anywhere, be teachable and prosper. — Jennifer Grida * *Congratulations on your achievement! Remember you are not the only one who has worked hard to achieve a goal. Be humble, be sure to support and congratulate others, and show your respect and honor to each one. They are just as wonderful in their own way as you are. Integrity in your character affects everything. If you don't have it and build on it, it doesn't matter what you accomplish because it will all crumble and you'll have nothing. Yes, your whole life is in front of you; it goes a lot faster than you think. Don't waste it with the clutter and junk of stupid mistakes; learn from others and choose wisely. If the bed is uncomfortable, get up and remake it. Choose your battles; you don't have to attend every argument you're invited to. Remember, never believe the great lie that you're alone and unloved because you're not and you are. Go forward with confidence and look for the good in each day as it comes. — Kathy Hawley *It's okay to explore, change your mind, and grow at your own pace. — Marie Kane * Congratulations on your graduation! Always be proud of your achievements and use them to fulfill your dreams. Wishing you adventure, success and happiness for all your tomorrows. — Mary Rauch * Be true to yourself. Be kind to others. Help those that are hurting. Show a smile to make another's day. — Meg Jacobs * Just remember to keep in touch with the friends you have made in high school- you will need them in time to come. — Darlene Pratt * Life is full of ups and downs but make good choices in life & reach for your dreams. Never let anyone tell you can't do something, if you keep your dreams in mind, you will be successful. Stay on the right path! — Melodie Waltz * Invest yourself in a great yet challenging career. Learn to have an extended future outlook toward retirement and begin to set your plans in place as you start your work life. This will set you up for an early retirement where you have freedom to enjoy the things you want, and you won't be tied to a job for decades. You will have enough to retire early and enjoy life. Life is precious. Realize that early and plan accordingly. — Nancy Gagne * No matter how hard life gets, keep your head up and keep moving forward. — Christopher Pabst * Life is going to be full of ups and downs, achievements and disappointments. It's how we react to the most challenging times that develop our character. Don't be afraid to make mistakes, as long as you are learning along the way, you are growing! — Robin Lears * Invest into a Roth IRA as soon as possible and continue to add to it. Help others as much as possible. Be grateful on a daily basis and continue to build on your faith. — Robert Schuchman * Try to get a civil service job in an area of work you enjoy. The pay, insurance and retirement benefits are great! — Susan Ball * Things don't always make sense right now, but that's ok. You are not supposed to have it all figured out. Let go of the pressure to know your path. Stay curious, show up and KEEP trying even when you are uncertain. Say yes, to opportunities, even if it scares you a little, they help you grow. But trust your gut. Don't wait until you are ready, you will never be 100% ready. Just take the leap, send the email, apply. You will figure it out as you go. Be good and true to yourself. You are doing better than you think. — Susanne Wilkijs This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Graduation advice to the Class of 2025: See what our readers shared
