Seneca Valley students prepare to look forward
JACKSON TWP — While Seneca Valley Senior High School’s graduating students expressed a triumphant tone, realizing they were finally done with high school, they also showed a range of moods over facing the future: excitement, fear, uncertainty, anxiety and anticipation, to name a few.
Seneca Valley School District’s 606 seniors, one of the largest graduating classes it’s had, closed out their time at the district Thursday, May 28, in front of a NexTier Stadium packed to the brim with parents, grandparents and friends cheering on their peers.
Throughout the commencement, there were recurring themes of taking on the future. Speakers noted that, while this is a monumental, emotional mark for students, it’s also only the beginning.
“It seems like only yesterday was the first day we waited at the bus stop,” Audrey Wolfe, senior class president, said. “I encourage you all to slow down and take life one day at a time. We have so many days ahead.”
The weather was picturesque for the event at the school tucked in the hills of Butler County — just over 70 degrees, sunny and windy. The district was on display as it sent off its students. The band and orchestra students blasted “Pomp and Circumstance” through the football stadium, while the choir students closed things out by singing Seneca Valley’s alma mater.
When the students walked down the hill from the gymnasium and toward the football field, they marched through a tunnel of parents and teachers cheering them on into their future.
“For this entire school year, it has been a real pleasure to work with such an outstanding group of high school students,” principal Robert Ceh said. “This evening, we’re recognizing those accomplishments.”
Seneca Valley teachers and parents watched with pride as they lauded the students’ ability over the years to grow, solve problems, adapt and finish the job, all while blocking out outside noise.
“Tonight, 606 graduates will cross this stage. And no matter how many are graduating, what never changes is the pride in moments like this,” superintendent Tracy Vitale said during her speech. “You’ve grown into capable, resilient young adults.”
Throughout the evening, students hugged and high-fived their peers and shared the love with their teachers.
During his speech, senior Samuel Boyer took time to thank Cheri Mihalik, an intermediate high school teacher who, despite battling cancer, has been their for her students since day one, he said.
Speeches given by students during the ceremony included themes of “breaking out of mental jail” and continuing to chase dreams rather than worry about every minor decision.
“There’s one thing that connects all of us. We are all chasing a dream. In elementary school, we were told to chase our dreams,” senior Sarah Ghaffar said.
“I’d like to give my favorite quote: ‘Never let your fear of failure be greater than your desire for success,’” Ghaffar added.
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Graduating seniors at Seneca Valley Senior High School walk the stage and receive their diplomas on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Students prepare for graduation inside the gymnasium at Seneca Valley Senior High School on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating seniors at Seneca Valley Senior High School walk the stage and receive their diplomas on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Students prepare for graduation inside the gymnasium at Seneca Valley Senior High School on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors attend graduation at NexTier Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating senior Dakari Deshawn Payne receives his diploma at Seneca Valley Senior High School's graduation on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating seniors at Seneca Valley Senior High School walk the stage and receive their diplomas on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley School District Superintendent Tracy Vitale speaks at Seneca Valley Senior High School's graduation on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating senior Samuel Boyer speaks at Seneca Valley Senior High School's graduation on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating senior Anthony Cardosi receives his diploma at Seneca Valley Senior High School's graduation on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors attend graduation at NexTier Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors attend graduation at NexTier Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating senior Lola Boussie receives her diploma at Seneca Valley Senior High School's graduation on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating senior Jillian Snyder speaks at Seneca Valley Senior High School's graduation on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating seniors at Seneca Valley Senior High School walk the stage and receive their diplomas on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating seniors return to their seats after receiving their diplomas at Seneca Valley Senior High School's graduation on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors make their way to the football field for their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors make their way to the football field for their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating seniors return to their seats after receiving their diplomas at Seneca Valley Senior High School's graduation on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating seniors at Seneca Valley Senior High School walk the stage and receive their diplomas on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors make their way to the football field for their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors make their way to the football field for their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Graduating seniors move their tassels at the end of their graduation ceremony at Seneca Valley Senior High School on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors attend graduation at NexTier Stadium on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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From left, Lola Boussie, Samantha Boussie and Dhiyasri Gopalakrishnan attend graduation at Seneca Valley Senior High School on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School seniors make their way to the football field for their graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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The Seneca Valley Beautyshop and Barbershop Quartets perform during the graduation ceremony at Seneca Valley Senior High School on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior Senior High School principal Robert Ceh speaks to the graduating class before they head out to the football stadium for the graduation ceremony at Seneca Valley Senior High School on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Carissa Arbogast sits with her fellow graduates in the gymnasium before heading out to the football field for the graduation ceremony at Seneca Valley Senior High School on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Seneca Valley Senior High School principal Robert Ceh speaks to the graduating class before they head out to the football stadium for the graduation ceremony at Seneca Valley Senior High School on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
