Lake Shore Central School District

Dr. Katy Berner-Wallen, Lake Shore High School principal, had a simple yet powerful message to the Class of 2025 regarding others who may start judging them now that they were entering adulthood: Let them.

“Let them judge,” Berner-Wallen said during Lake Shore’s 141st Commencement held June 26 on the high school football field. “Let them doubt. Let them question your choices, your creativity, your ambition. Let them roll their eyes when you start something they don’t understand; when you rewrite your story for the 12th time; when you post your change your path, or dream big.”

She continued, “Because while they’re busy being wrong about you, you’ll be busy building a life that matters to you.”

More than 160 students were recognized during Lake Shore’s Commencement Ceremony. 

Berner-Wallen told seniors that whether their next step was college, the skilled trades, or the workforce, they should do it with courage, curiosity, and authenticity. “Do it in a way that makes you proud,” she said. “You don’t need to convince the doubters. You just need to believe in the story you’re writing. And, if that story takes twists and turns, that’s OK. Most great ones do.”

Superintendent Daniel Pacos provided the ceremony’s opening address. 

Afterward, Salutatorian Autumn Jackson reminded students to live in the moment and to cherish the memories they were making. Too often, she noted, students were “waiting for the next big thing,” such as moving from elementary to middle school, and then from middle to high school. 

“We forget to live in the moment and enjoy what’s currently happening,” Jackson said. “We are so focused on graduating and going off to college that we weren’t thinking about the memories we made.”

Valedictorian Sophie Lehnen acknowledged that, in the last four years, students had learned from past mistakes, formed bonds with teachers, and made lasting memories with one another. 

Lehnen said she will miss her Lake Shore teachers and staff the most upon graduation. “They are all such amazing and kind people,” she said. “They have always been there to help me and so many others, not only with schoolwork, but also with anything we might have needed some assistance with outside of the classroom.”
 

She will also miss the activities and trips, as well as the Homecoming dances and prom. 

“These memories wouldn’t be what they are if my friends hadn’t been there with me to make them,” she said. “That brings me to what I, and I imagine many of you, will miss most of all, our friends. Without them, high school just wouldn’t have been the same, and I’m going to miss them so much next year.”

Emily Valentine, Senior Class president, congratulated the 165 students who made up the Class of 2025 and reminded seniors to be grateful for the moments they had in high school and to those who helped them reach their goals. 

“Maybe your high school career was vastly different from your friends or classmates, but we all still share somewhat of the same memories, surrounded by the same people, in the same place, making all of us connected in one way or another for the rest of our lives,” Valentine said. 

Maxim Hazard, Student Government president, reflected on their journey from kindergarten to high school and the bumps along the way. 

“I, for one, am very grateful that I was able to be a part of this amazing class,” Hazard said. “You have all taught me the importance of making the most out of the time that we’re given. So, as we move forward to this next chapter of our lives, I hope we all remain the positive people that we have been during our time at Lake Shore and continue to make the people in our lives smile.”

The following awards and scholarships were presented: the Angola & Lake Shore Central Alumni Association Award, the Ruth Lehning Humanitarian Award, Alumni Vocational Awards, the Outstanding Effort & Initiative Award, the William T. Hoag Alumni Scholarship, Alumni Association Achievement Awards, Lake Shore Central Teachers’ Association Scholarships, and the Evans Police Department Community Inclusion Award.

Diplomas were presented by Jennifer Michalec, school board president; Jason Sullivan, assistant principal; and Daryl Besant, athletic director and assistant principal.