NBC Graduates Made the Most of High School Years

Reaghan Grimes opened the 2024 graduation ceremony on the evening of Thursday, May 30, by talking to the class about their memories and how COVID-19 started when they were in eighth grade.

“A new reality set in that forced us away from each other. We finished eighth grade doing school online with Zoom,” she said.

They started high school with half of their classmates as the school district operated on a hybrid system.

Grimes said eventually life returned to something they recognized.

“We spent the last three years of high school making the most of our time — this class branched out widely with a plethora of involvement,” she said.

They spent hours studying and working on projects, and being involved in clubs such as FBLA, STCLA, NHS, Interact Club, and Student Council where many won awards.

Everyone, from student athletes to musicians, worked hard to showcase their capabilities and talents.

Grimes said anything was possible with the class of 2024 and they have been able to laugh and support each other through it all.

“All of these memories have brought us to this moment, waiting for the chance to walk the stage and get the diploma,” Grimes said.

Superintendent Todd Beatty congratulated the 64 members of the Class 2024.

“I have full confidence that each of you will be able to successfully achieve your dreams by utilizing the goals made here at NBC, using your ability to think, doing your research, drawing your own conclusions, and by making an impact,” he said.

Beatty said 34% of the class of 2024 will seek employment, 63% will go onto post secondary education, and 3% will enlist in the military.

He said 47% of the class who took the National Occupational Competency Testing Institute 28 achieved competency.

About 53% of the class participated in early college enrollment programs and earned a total of 583 college credits from the colleges that partner with NBC.

Beatty said he expected each of the students to take with them the qualities of their PRIDE acronym: being positive, being respectful, being involved, being dependable, and being excellent.

“As you know, the choices you make today will shape your world tomorrow,” he said.

The speaker was Jan Gable, an NBC graduate of 1973, who was born in Roaring Spring 1955 and is the co-founder and president of James+Gable Insurance Brokers according to Beatty.

Gable said, as he looked at the school and facilities they have now, he was jealous.

“I thought it was great 50 years ago but look at it now – the fields and the stadiums were all rock piles and dirt,” he said.

The last thing the class would want is another old person telling them what to do, Gable said.

“What I would like you to take away from this is that your journey is yours and choice is a good thing,” he said.

Gable told the class to not be afraid to make the hard choices and to do something different for themselves.

He said like many of the students, he grew up on a dairy farm.

“I know it is hard work, but it is rewarding and there are few professions that are as gratifying to build, cultivate, and sustain,” Gable said.

Gable gave the example of being hired for a job during the first interview because the employers noticed that he grew up on a farm.

“Those early mornings on the farm were the foot in the door that jump started my career,” Gable said. “Hard work can really open doors.”

Choices create opportunities and experiences, he said.

“You will have a lot of choices ahead of you, and they will define who you are — you don’t always know what you are getting into,” Gable said. “Embrace the unexpected and don’t shy away from opportunity. Face it head on and make the choice for yourself.”

He said success at the end of the day is not who makes the most money, has the biggest house, or drives the fastest car.

“It’s about treating others the way you want to be treated – It’s about working hard and operating with integrity —It’s about connecting with others – It’s about making time for your family – It’s about how your work makes you feel, “ Gable said.