Speakers provide Riverview grads with encouragement

When he graduated from Riverview High School in 2007, Jack Craig knew exactly what he wanted for a career.

Exactly one semester into college, he decided that his lifelong goal of being a zookeeper wasn’t for him. Actually, a clue in that regard may have come earlier.

“My Riverview claim to fame is probably putting a scalpel through my hand during an AP Biology dissection my junior year of high school,” he told members of his alma mater’s Class of 2023.

Craig served as guest speaker during Riverview’s June 7 commencement at Riverside Park in Oakmont, in part assuring those who were about to graduate that facing uncertainty hardly guarantees a lack of success.

“I definitely wasn’t the most mature teenager, and I changed my mind about what I want to do in life multiple times after high school,” he said. “But I found my way to a career that I very much enjoy, with a house and a family that I love.”

For the would-be zookeeper, that means working as the building coordinator for Penn State’s 6,000-seat Pegula Ice Arena.

“That was my way,” Craig said. “There are so many possibilities and paths for every single one of you tonight, whether you know exactly what you want to do or have no idea what you want to do.”

Among those joining him as commencement speakers were valedictorian Ziad Jaafar and salutatorian Hazel Polesiak.

Jaafar cited many of the Class of 2023’s achievements.

“But we might also have regrets. No matter how much we’ve grown or all that we’ve done, it’s easy to think, if only I’d acted differently. If only I had taken that chance. If only I had decided to go for a risk, maybe things would be better than they are now,” he said.

“That’s why, as we move forward to this next era of our lives, we can’t be afraid to fail, because it’s that fear of failure that holds you back, that keeps you stagnant, that makes you think you don’t have what it takes, even though you do.”

As an example, he told about his father’s immigration to the United States “with only $100 to his name.”

“My dad is living the American dream,” Jaafar said, “all because he wasn’t too afraid to take a chance.”

Polesiak reflected on her class’ journey through Riverview.

“We began our time together as children who barely knew how to tie their shoes, let alone how to express ourselves,” she said. “But as we grew, so did our understanding of who we are, whether this is seen in the blossoming of one’s personality or the discovery of our passions, I truly enjoyed seeing how many of my peers have grown up to become who they are today.”

She referenced the challenges of the pandemic, which broke out when this year’s seniors were freshmen.

“But it is with these struggles, and our strength in the face of adversity, that we are able to progress with growth as a reward,” Polesiak said.

Craig offered further guidance for the graduates.

“I encourage you to be open-minded, to try new things and to chase your happiness, whatever that may be,” he said. “Bring quality to whatever task is set before you, and people will notice. And you will find your way.”