As commencement speaker, Gockley was chosen by the graduating class. He started out his speech with a catch in his voice. “Standing before you, I am amazed at the wonderful surprises that life can bring,” he said.

VOORHEESVILLE — These Voorheesville seniors won awards:

— Alexander Ruhren: Colonial Council Principals' Award; and PTA Scholarship;

BERNE — These Berne-Knox-Westerlo seniors won awards:

These local students have recently received diplomas:

— Sara Buckley of Slingerlands graduated from Hofstra University in December 2018, earning a master of science degree in physician assistant studies;

The change will allow families more time for celebrating, say school district officials.

After a classmate’s diagnosis of cancer, Berne-Knox-Westerlo seniors rallied to raise money for her.

“How do you express your feelings for a place that’s done so much for you?” asks Voorheesville’s valedictorian, Abigail Keating Goldfarb. She has loved school since the start and will carry her passion for learning to Brown University.

Madison Rose Canfora credits her family for her success. Voorheesville’s salutatorian plans to study medicine at Duke University, which she chose for its balance between social and academic life.

The valedictorian spoke on the importance of hard work; the salutatorian on the need to stay true to self; and the keynote speaker, science teacher Kenneth Young, gave the 95 graduates a self-care list to follow — all at Voorheesville’s June 23 graduation ceremony.