Gallery • 9 Photos

Kathryn Barrett '26

Graduates file into the gymnasium at the Mirenda Center at Neumann University for the commencement ceremony on Friday, June 5.

In their final hour as Haven students, 260 seniors smoothed their robes, secured their caps with bobby pins, and posed for selfies in the Community Hall of the Mirenda Center at Neumann University. 

The night opened with a speech by Superintendent Dr. Russell Johnston, who opened with an analogy about ‘Strath Haven’ sounding like the name of a vampire high school and ended with kind remarks about how the seniors brought new life to Haven.

“You’ll join new communities with different colors and different names, but wherever you go, remember this: we will always be here, cheering you on, believing in you and watching proudly as you become everything we knew you could be,” Johnston said. 

The speech made a mark on several seniors.

“My favorite speech was when the superintendent compared us to vampires. That was a good one. That was a touching one, and interesting,” graduate Amelia Badura said.

Seniors voted for social studies teacher Mr. David Waldman to deliver the faculty speech. In his 11-minute remarks, Waldman acknowledged that we know less about the future than any generation of human beings in history, recognizing that technology is swiftly changing the world. 

He advised students to seek opportunities to reflect and serve. 

“What I want you to do, and to continue to do for as long as you live, is begin a reflective conversation with yourselves about what it means to live a life of real contentment,” he said. “Look for truth and happiness every day of your life. Hunt happiness and give thanks for being blessed enough to find it.”

Both of the student speakers, seniors Kazi Bhuiya and Guixin Zhang, reflected on the past few years while encouraging fellow graduates to get excited about the future.

Bhuiya reflected on how many students found roots in the WSSD community.

“Your roots are the fullest connection to your life, the ones that remain close to your heart, long after they are submerged in the soil of time,” he said. “They will support you, sustain you, and forever be a part of who you are.”

Zhang, who transferred to Haven two years ago from her previous school in China, reflected on her memories of the school community’s kindness.

“It was a teacher who stayed after class to explain something again more slowly this time,” she said. “It was a staff member whose smile needed no translation. It was a classmate who made space at the table or started conversation when words did not come easily… These were small moments, but they carried something so powerful, because in those moments Strath Haven became more than a school. It became a place where we were seen, supported, and welcome.”

As the seniors walked the stage to receive their diplomas, many graduates passed a ball of tinfoil to Principal Mr. Andrew Benzing, in acknowledgement of the work that he has done with clean lunchroom mascot Tommy the Tinfoil.

As the final day of Haven’s 30-day clean table streak was Friday, the seniors received their reward — cookies — at the ceremony.

These reminders of what has happened at Haven made graduation bittersweet for some.

“I’m happy about graduation, but I’m also a little sad because I have a lot of friends who I’ll have to say goodbye to, who I know I won’t see as much,” graduate Jason Ventriglia said. “I’m definitely going to try and keep in touch with as many people as possible. I know sometimes things change over the years, and it’s harder to stay in contact with certain people, but I’ll definitely put in the effort.”

Badura echoed this sentiment.

“I’m so excited it’s finally over, after four years in the same building… really after the last 12 years of my life with the same exact people, in the same environment,” Badura said. “It’s bittersweet because I’m excited to be moving on, but then also it’s so sad hugging all of my friends, and saying goodbye.”