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JUNE 14, 2024— Against a backdrop of a bright blue sky and a setting sun, the Pal-Mac Class of 2024 celebrated the dawn of their next chapters: Graduates.

The District honored its newest class Thursday night during the annual Graduation Ceremony at Lincoln Hill Farms in Canandaigua.

147 Pal-Mac seniors walked across the stage and into their futures.

The evening began with a rendition of the national anthem by Pal-Mac’s Select Choir. 

The performance was followed by a round of speeches from High School Principal Andy Wahl, and Board of Education President Laura Arrington. 

Wahl encouraged the assembled crowd of family and friends to scream the names of their graduates, a practice called “the joyful noise.” Wahl jokingly said the practice would help people hear the names back in Macedon and Palmyra.

Arrington offered a reflective view of the student’s journeys through the lens of their parents or caregivers. 

“We know the power of the words we believe in you and you belong here,” Arrington said. “We know you have amazing gifts to offer the world, and the world is waiting for you. And that is a beautiful thing.”

PHOTO GALLERY---> 2024 GRADUATION CEREMONY

Student leaders including Valedictorian Elizabeth Share, Salutatorian Mariana Hodgins, and Class President Kendal Miller also contributed some words to their classmates.

“We made it,” Share said. 

Hodgins congratulated the class on the hard work and effort they put in to reach this moment but acknowledged their accomplishments weren't reached alone. 

“We must recognize the profound truth that it requires a community of great people to accomplish great things,” Hodgins said. “We must remind ourselves of the collaborative efforts that lead to every success story.” 

Miller announced the Class of 2024 would be leaving behind several gifts for future students. The class contributed coolers to the school concession stands, a $1,000 scholarship to the Palmyra-Macedon Dollars for Scholars Chapter for students pursuing a trade, and a legacy gift for the next four classes.

Once the speeches concluded, it was time to present the diplomas. One by one, students received their diplomas, along with a handshake from Wahl.

 

The entire ceremony was live-streamed on the Pal-Mac Athletics YouTube page, courtesy of High School teacher Kevin Schlegel.

The evening ended with the traditional moving of the tassels and a celebratory lifting of the caps into the air. 

Seniors could then stick around for the annual Senior Last Bash, which included games, prizes, and bonding for one last time.

As for the Class of 2024, we leave you with Share’s parting words.

“We’ll have difficult times, we’ll have “Don’t worry about the future, it will come before you know it,” Share said. “All we can do is set ourselves up for success and prepare for the worst, hope for the best.”

Share said students should use that advice in whatever they choose to do, but her words also applied to navigating the ever-unpredictable New York weather.

But on this evening, the weather, much like the futures for these new graduates, was as bright as ever.