Elizabethtown Area High School Celebrated the Class of 2025 at Annual Commencement Ceremony
Elizabethtown Area High School proudly honored the Class of 2025 during its annual commencement ceremony held Thursday, June 5, at the LCBC Manheim Campus. A total of 318 seniors graduated as part of this year’s Class, including several students who participated in a winter ceremony held earlier in the academic year.
The graduates, dressed in traditional blue robes, were led into the auditorium by the class officers. Valedictorian Austin Risser and salutatorian Jacqueline Raybold addressed their classmates, offering heartfelt reflections on their high school journey and words of encouragement for the future.
Valedictorian Risser delivered a reflective address to the Class of 2025, grounding his message in gratitude, humility, and the power of presence. He encouraged his classmates to simply embrace the present. In a world that’s constantly moving to the next task, he reminded everyone that true happiness and meaning are often found in the here and now.
“We should be striving to work hard at whatever the present moment holds—whether it’s work, relationships, school, faith, or fun,” Risser said. “Time flies when you forget to live in the moment… This night only happens once, so let’s enjoy it.”
Salutatorian Raybold reflected on the Class of 2025’s shared journey, from childhood dreams to the crossroads of graduation. She acknowledged the uncertainty many feel when asked what they want to be, and challenged her classmates to instead focus on who they want to be—highlighting that careers don’t define our worth or happiness.
“I’ve discovered who I really want to be: a person of faith, a good friend, a hard worker and volunteer, a loyal sister and daughter … and someone who is confident that no matter what path life takes me on, I can persevere,” Raybold shared.
In her remarks, senior speaker Kylie Tobias reflected on the 4,500-hour journey she and her 326 classmates shared. She emphasized that their success was not achieved alone, but through the steady support of teachers, families, coaches, and the broader school community.
“This ceremony isn’t just about us—it’s about everyone who helped us get here,” Tobias said. “As we close this chapter, we carry the lessons, support, and spirit of our community into whatever comes next.”
The ceremony featured remarks from Dr. Karen Nell, superintendent of schools; Mr. Stephen Lindemuth, school board president; and Dr. Jason D’Amico, high school principal.
Dr. Nell addressed the Elizabethtown Area High School Class of 2025 with a message centered on reflection, gratitude, and forward momentum. She acknowledged the students' growth and perseverance throughout their academic careers and commended them for embodying the district’s Life Ready Model—emerging prepared to live, learn, and thrive in a complex, global society.
“You have so much to offer this world—the sky’s the limit,” said Dr. Nell. “This is your moment. Take the road less traveled, chart your own course, and continue to develop healthy, productive life goals. No matter where your journey leads, you will always be an Etown Bear.”
Mr. Lindemuth highlighted the importance of integrity, service, and a strong work ethic—values that remain relevant in any era and essential for success in life beyond high school.
“As you move forward, be responsible for yourself, find purpose beyond your own ambitions, and strive to be a person of integrity ... And always give your best effort—even when no one is watching.”” Lindemuth told the graduates.
D’Amico reminded the Class of 2025 that their time in high school has been marked not just by achievements, but by meaningful work that made a lasting impact. But more than numbers and accolades, Dr. D’Amico emphasized the intrinsic worth of each student—affirming that their significance comes from who they are, not just what they’ve done.
“You are more than the sum of parts—you have worth and importance,” Dr. D’Amico shared. “Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.”
The Class of 2025 officers included Hannah Carter, president; Jillian Morris, vice president; Juliana Gillette, secretary; Ayla Bradley, treasurer; Landon Miller, marketing coordinator; and Aubrey Stout and Christina Bair-Risser, historians.
Elizabethtown Area High School extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Class of 2025 and wishes its newest alumni success, joy, and continued growth in the years ahead.
Class of 2025 Graduates:
Alan Jon Acri, Ziydah Joy Allen, Danica Kaye Allman, Emeriana Esther Andino, Brandon Nicholas Andrews, Caiden W. Ashton, Christina Nicole Bair-Risser, Kilian Akais Barr, Logan Tanner Batche, Diamond Lee Beckham, Garrison B. Behan, Dylan Thomas Bell, Mason Matthew Bell, Katelyn Elizabeth Bernard, Elona Bhurgri, Charles Augustus Bibleheimer, Logan Scott Bircher, Prasant Biswa, Zoe Elizabeth Boksan, Justin Daniel Borger, Ayla Nicole Bradley, Abigail Morgan Breault, Noah Lamar Breneman, Celene Rose Flora Brodhecker, Roan Leela Brooks, Cameron Mitchell Brosey, Bryce William Brown, Olivia Christine Brown, Sophia Renee Brown, Danielle Giada Bruno, Calista Renee Bryant, Liam Conner Burke, Grace Maribeth Caldwell, Brooke Avry Carmen, Sophia Marie Carmen, Hannah Grace Carter, Ian Tomas Casas Vargas, Rory Jane Checkeye, Elias Choc Chen, Yoni Alexander Choc Tox, Alexis Joel Cintron, Luke Jonathan Coble, Matthew (Matty) Jay Colvin-Keefer, Calvin James Conteh, Kevin Lee Corty, Brooklyn Alexandria Craul, Amelie Marguerite Crawford, Scott Creason, Adrienne Renee Crick, Tessa Michelle Cronin, Allan Kenny De Leon Marroquin, Haley Amber De Stefano, Benjamin Herman Dice, Ethan Reeves Diedrich, Hailey Elizabeth Dougherty, and Jake Edward Dunn.
Morgan Alexandra Eckert, Lauren Rae Eckroth, Alex Rae Eisenhower, Cameron Bard Elder, Mya Joan Ellis, Nickolas Wesley Ellison, Crichton James Emert, Cayden Manning Enck, Jacob Spencer Engle, Kendall Alivia Erdman, Toren James Erikson, Dillon William Ernst, Lyla Jacklyn Fair, Thomas James Feguer, Jonathan David Ferrari, Alison Maria Fink, Dalton Jack Fink, Madison Leigh Fischer, Wyatt William Florek, Reagan Marie Flory, Joshua Charles Focht, Gianni Nicholas Formica, Devin Joseph Forney, Brendan Matthew Fritz, Jordan Maximus Fry, Caleb Jonathan Fuge, Alexander Jack-Thomas Gallagher, Julia McKenzie Garber, Masyn Allen Garber, Matthew Allen Garber, Julio Alberto Garcia Torres, Jack Robert Geesey, Juliana Ryan Gillette, Reagan Anna Gober, Mackenzie J. Graham, Aundrea Nicole Graybill, Kendra Nichole Griffie, Emma Marie Griffith, Finn Malcolm Grinnell, Jordyn Ashley Griswold, Cody Mason Grubbs, Amir Robert Haas, Andrew Timothy Hack, Addyson Marie Hackman, Brooke Avery Halbleib, Jaymeson Andrew Hall, Cloey Elizabeth Hammond, Dontrell Edward Hammond, Madalyn Noelle Hampton, Sarah Eleanor Heinz, Tyler James-Alan Henry, Aiden Joseph Hernandez, Emma Della Hickey, Rhian Marie Hoey, Tiffany Kay Hoffer, Brayden Joseph Hofmann, Anna Noel Hollinger, Erin Grace Horst, Kylie Anne Hottenstein, Nicholas Michael-Patrick Houck, Gavin Alexander Howe, Chase Michael Howes, Luke (Astrid) Emory Huber, Brayden M. Huber, Brooke Cherie Hummel, Owen Michael Hummer, Collin David Hynicker, and Allison Jean Hynum.
Trent James Imler, Aiden Michael Ippolito, Bridget Weidia Nyefay Jackson, Joseph David Jenakovich, Makayla Danielle Jennings, Gavyn Alexavier-Marsh Johnson, Jaycee Anna Johnson, Layla Maria-Raziel Johnson, Makaylea Marie Joiner, Olivia Kathryn Kauffman, Candice Paige Kaufman-Bixler, Shane M. Kearse, Edelawit Yitawos Kedir, Tristan Joseph Kehler, Nathaniel Andrew Keiser, Aidan James Kenny, Evan Thomas Kensey, Kiera Lynn Kerr, Caden Matthew Kettering, Henry Alan Kindon, Dakota Jay King, McKenzee Joan-Marie Kingsboro, Sarah N. Klecanda, Hayden Joseph Klose, Logan Riley Koch, Paul Koebberling, Kolby Nicholas Konrad, Caleb Allen Kreider, Calvin Scott Kreiser, Jacqueline Kubembereza, Cynthia Eve Kughler, Alexa Rae Landon, Korinne Emma Lapp, Kai William Laszakovits, Maddox Alan Layton, Henry Stoner Leaman, Gabryella Madison Renee Leber, Declan Leroy Lentz, Evan James Leonard, Abigail Louise Lerch, Willow Eden Lloyd, Devon Nichole Logan, Isiah Lee Long, Kadence Grace Loser, Callie Sophia Love-Morris, Kathryn Taylor Lowell, Kylie Ann Maines, Raychael Mackenzie Malseed, Nicholas Paul Manton, Olivia Brooke Martin, Sara Elizabeth Mathias, Julieonna Lyn McBride, Karrissa Ann McCauley, Tyler James McCracken, Shyla Cadence McCurdy, Steven Everald McDonald, Makenzi Breann McFeaters, Michael Paul McGovern, Austin Michael McKain, Jonathan Albert McNally, Malachi Kane Meade, Tyler Chase Miller, Conner Timothy Miller, Landon Scott Miller, Lleyton James Miller, Ian Leighton Mohr, Riley Wenger Mollohan, Christopher Michael Allen Moore, Brady Quinn Moran, Jillian Hannah Morris, Kosette Liberty Mott, Joshua Mychael Mummau, and Faith Ann Musser.
Djemba Alexander N'Dikwe, Lila Grace Neefe, Dallas Austin Neideigh, Kirsten Nelsen, Jameson David Noll, Elyssa Grace Nolt, Everitt Donavon Olson, Natalie Lynn Ott, Isabelle Rose Overdorf, Taryn Nicole Pantanella, Piper Sue Patrick, Renan Gage Pawuk, Alessandra Perez, Matthew Dylan Phillips, Lilyani Emilia Pizarro-Bogan, Deven Plummer, Stephen Robert Polizzi, Emma Grace Potteiger, Aubrey Victoria Powell, Colten Thomas Pritts, Everett William Rachael, Jada Lynn-Lean Radtke, Anna Elise Rank, Leontine Marie L Rase, Jacqueline Anna Raybold, Daniel Brian Reigner, Jordan Riley Reimer, Zachary David Reimer, Makayla Nicole Reitmeyer, Shay Lynn Richardson, Mason Robert Ridilla, Jason Thomas Rife, Brendan Thomas Rilatt, Austin Donald Risser, Alexander George Ritzman, Emily Morgan Robertson, Christian Michael Robinson, Laila R. Robinson, Natalie Joy Rodriguez, Chloe Marie Roman, Kaitlyn Nicole Romberger, Paige Pawlaweh Rosenberger-Jean, Luke Lahpawe Rosenberger-Jean, Lillian Rae Ross, Cedric A. Sanchez, Jerelies Ivette Santana Perez, Caleb Bryce Schiavoni, Isla Zayre Schoenberger, Parker William Schraff, Christian Charles Schulze, Greyson James Seaman, Isaiah Alexander Shayter, Issac D. Shelley, Angela Lynn Shoff, Meiley Hope Shuck, Jack Daniel Gordon Shull, Brooke Haley Simione, Harman Sanjay Singh, Levi Gray Sites, Brynn Mallory Skocik, Taylor Jade Slaugh, Alyssa Lynn Smith, Trenton Lee Smith, Landyn Quentin Snyder, Nolan Christopher Sohnleitner, Emily Korin Sonnon, Aspen Nevaeh Reighn Stafford, Drew Edward Stark, Marley Jane Stauffer, Andrew Michael Stoner, Aubrey Renee Stout, Kristen Sue Stout, Ella Morgan Stricker, Ethan Michael Stuber, Summer Joy Sturgis, Sam Parker Sullivan, and Haley Ann Swanger.
Vincent Tang, Karrah Danay Taylor, Madison Taylor, Sarah (Steven) Paul Taylor, Emma Marie Teter, Eliza Lynn Thomas, Kylie Marie Tobias, Emma Olivia Tollaksen, Cooper Ryan Torborg, Aaronae Marie Torres, Jackson Wade Umbrell, Maryjane Elizabeth Van Arsdale, Xsavier Vidal Vargas, Zeno Vela, Dawn Elayne Wagner, Naideen Michelle Wagner, Owen Anderson Wagner, Kellen John Walker, Emmalyn Ann Watson, Anna Mae Weissend, Gavin Anthony Wertman, Kaylanna N. White, Hunter Robert Whitney, Ethan Lee Wilkinson, Zachary North Williams, Hailey Grace Williard, Mason Claude Wilson, Alexis Marie Winters, Eve Rebecca Winters, Savanna Leigh Winters, Ashlyn Rae Wise, Cole Daniel Wise, Brianna Michelle Wolfe, Grace Emily Wolfe, Gracie Ann Woodring, Ethan William Worstell, Brody Alan Yakscoe, Riley Luke Yencha, Erin Nicole Yerger, Rachel Anne Yohn, Jeremiah Jay Yost, Trenton Michael Zeager, Carson Anthony Zercher, and Xyndar Larkin Zimmerman.