Bethel Park High School graduates Class of 2022

Bethel Park High School held its 113th annual commencement at Black Hawk Stadium on June 3, under a beginning with a moment of silence to honor the late Jon Gentile, a history teacher at the school who passed away the week before.

The 320 members of the Bethel Park High School Class of 2022 included 108 students who graduated with highest honors, 46 students with high honors and 34 with honors.

Eighty-two graduates were members of the National Honor Society. Of this year’s graduates, 81% will attend a four-year institution; 11%, two-year institution; 5%, trade or technical school; less than 1%., military; and approximately 1% will enter the workforce.

This year’s valedictorian was Julie Heh, who thanked her teachers for challenging her and her friends, family and classmates for motivating her to continue to work hard.

“This four-year journey has taught us all that with perseverance and commitment, anything is possible,” she said.

Co-salutatorian Keelan Donovan encouraged his classmates to let go of their regrets and to accept that they will make mistakes, but that’s OK as long as they are continually learning from them so as not to repeat them. He also stressed the importance of continuing to work hard to ensure success.

Jadon Tietz, the other co-salutatorian and a third-generation Bethel Park alumnus whose grandfather was a longtime history teacher at the high school, encouraged his peers to face their fears and to embrace the prospect of failure as a means toward ultimate success.

Principal Joseph Villani told class members that they will always hold a special place in his heart for all they have been through together over the past four years. Villani encouraged the students to treasure the relationships they built during these most challenging of times and to remember that Bethel Park will always be home.

Superintendent James Walsh lauded the Class of 2022 as one that will “long be remembered for (its) resiliency and grit in the face of adversity.” He also congratulated the class for sticking together during a the difficulties of the covid-19 pandemic and for working collaboratively with their classmates and their teachers to solve problems never before faced by previous generations.

In keeping with the high school’s tradition, diplomas were presented to the four students who will enter the military. Coordinating the presentation was retired Chief Master Sgt. Vic Guerra, a 1974 Bethel Park graduate whose 40-year military career led him to serve in the active-duty Air Force and in the Air National Guard as State Command Chief Master Sergeant of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard.

The senior farewell was given by Class President Kessid Wicker, who told his fellow graduates to not forget their friendships, teachers and families as they go on to this next chapter of their lives. Joining Kessid to lead the tassel ceremony was Victoria Hoffman, president of the Student Government Association.