At the Berne-Knox-Westerlo graduation, speakers looked two ways: back at the graduates’ past experiences at BKW, and also to their future paths in life.

Concern for material success was not a dominant theme of the speeches at Guilderland’s commencement ceremony on June 24, 2017. Instead, speakers advised graduates to speak the truth, learn to listen, and empathize with others.

BERNE — When Patrick John Stempel, also known as P.J., graduated this June and celebrated this past weekend, he was the third generation in his family not only to graduate from Berne-Knox-Westerlo, but to be a certified emergency medical technician.

Graduates, you achieved your task; you completed the requirements of one phase of your life. Now, you must move into the next phase — how will you go about it?

When you’re a child, people tell you what matters. “When you become older…you need to figure it out for yourself,” said Superintendent Marie Wiles.

Thomas Fisher said he found vast opportunities at Berne-Knox-Westerlo, where he took advanced classes and bonded with teachers.

Andrew Bub, BKW's salutatorian this year, works well under pressure.

The Class of 2015 had a large percentage of its graduates this year who plan to enter the military.

Families and friends jammed into Voorheesville's performing arts center to celebrate the district's graduates.