Gary Crowell, a 1961 Tyrone Area graduate, was the featured speaker at last night’s commencement ceremonies at Tyrone Area High School.
More than 150 seniors heard from the former Tyrone resident who went on to serve in the Vietnam War and won a number of awards for his service. Now, Crowell is still serving his country working in the office of Homeland Security with former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to Tyrone and the many people who helped me during my younger years,” said Crowell during his speech. “They and this town gave me a great set of values, a quality education and a solid foundation upon which to build my life. For that, I am forever grateful.”
Crowell offered humor during his address, commenting on his efforts to keep the speech short.
He joked he had once cut himself shaving before a speech and was wearing a Band-Aid on his chin. After the speech, a listener asked him about the bandage. Crowell said he was concentrating so much on the speech he cut himself. The listener replied, “Maybe next time you should concentrate more on shaving and cut your speech.”
Crowell then turned more serious, while he detailed his experiences about September 11, 2001. The terror attacks unfolded just two months after he had joined the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
He also talked about the Oath of Military Service he had taken 39 years ago when he entered the armed forces in 1965. Crowell went on to comment about the changing times, noting Communism was the threat when he graduated more than 40 years ago.
“For the graduating class of 2004, the threat is terrorism, here, in America,” said Crowell.
“We are now involved in a different war about which none of us can be indifferent, for no one is immune from acts of terrorism.”
He went on to tell the graduates, “The Nation will increasingly depend on you and other graduates throughout America who are also members of the class of 2004 to defend our Homeland, protect our constitutional rights, and ensure that our children and our children’s children can also grow up in a free and independent America.”
Crowell also offered other advice and suggestions to the seniors before concluding his remarks with a final thought.
“Throughout your lifetime, continuously strive to make your life and the lives of those around you brighter than the coming dawn and carry that brightness into every tomorrow.”
Other speakers including Cody William Jones who offered the invocation along with high school principal Dr. Rebecca Erb and superintendent Dr. William N. Miller. Co-Salutatorian Daniel Domenick offered commencement reflections, Co-Salutatorian Tyler Rickards introduced Mr. Crowell. Valedictorian Teresa Fernandes offered a farewell address.
Diplomas were presented by school board president Lee Stover and assistant principal James Butler. Musical selections were also offered by the band and chorus.
Bellwood-Antis held baccalaureate services on Wednesday evening and will hold commencement exercises tonight at the Bellwood-Antis High School Stadium.
At Wednesday evening’s services, Reverend Carl Alexy centered his message to the graduates from Matthew 5:16 which says, “Let your light so shine before all, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”
He urged the seniors to let their lights shine by adding spice to what they do by using their talents and abilities.
“Be full of light and spicy,” he said. “Add seasoning, enjoy it, you are the spice, you are the light, believe in what is right, go for it and let you light shine,” he concluded.
The call to worship was led by Sam Kalinosky taken from Psalm 119:9-12. Johanna Seminario led the responding reading from Psalm 121 and Heather Shura led in the first lesson from Romans 12:1-8. Angela Helsel read the New Testament lesson from Matthew 5:13-16.
Soloists throughout the evening included Emily Sharer, Brian McCaulley, Mike Glunt, Justina Kissell, Alicia Specht and Haley Crider. The program concluded with everyone joining in to sing “Take My Life That I May Be” and the benediction by Rev. Alexy.
The service was hosted by the Bellwood-Antis Council of Churches.
Commencement excercises begin at 7 p.m. tonight at Bellwood-Antis.
