SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Dr. Kristen Camille Stabingas extended three pearls of wisdom Friday to Schuylkill Haven Area High School graduates.
“You will never make it, the work will never end and never stop asking for help,” she said.
Stabingas, a 2006 graduate, returned to her alma mater to deliver the keynote address to the 105 graduates and their families at Rotary Field during the 125th annual commencement. Superintendent Lorraine Felker introduced Stabingas.
She said the lessons she valued most in her life have little to do with her accomplishments. Her character, she said, was built from failure.
“I did not graduate at the top of my class. I did not attend an Ivy League college. I was rejected the first time I applied to medical school. I have failed at saving multiple lives,” she said.
Stabingas received her bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington in 2009. She received a doctor of medicine degree in May 2015 from Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia. She is currently an intern at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, with a focus on neurological surgery. Stabingas is participating in a multi-center research study on early neurosurgical intervention for Parkinson’s disease. She is the daughter of Richard and Denise Stabingas, Schuylkill Haven.
“You will never make it, because ‘it’ does not exist. One of the most rewarding gifts you can give yourself tonight is to commit whole-heartedly to your journey, not to your final destination,” Stabingas said.
Her second ‘pearl’ was that the work will never end.
“There will come a time when you believe everything is finished — that is the beginning. This may sound incredibly daunting, as you sit here finally feeling empowered and free. When things feel overwhelming, when your heart is broken in a million pieces, when you’ve reached exhaustion, when you’re facing failure, return to work. At that point, when you’re in your most vulnerable state, you will see just how powerful you are. As a physician, I know fear. I know crippling self-doubt. Fear of failure is an incredible motivator. Fear of failure keeps you sharp,” she said.
“Never stop asking for help. You need to learn to experience frustration. You need to experience that frustration as a teachable moment. And in that moment, you need to humble yourself and ask for help. Adversity strengthens us in ways that success cannot. You are all lucky enough to be graduating from this tight-knight, small town high school. You already have an army of allies who are willing to help you every step of the way,” she said.
Valedictorian David S. Zimmerman and Salutatorian David J. Chesakis both offered addresses peppered with humor, and expressed thanks to their support system of family, teachers and friends.
“Life is like a giant chemical reaction ... and the final product is the person we turn out to be,” Zimmerman, 18, of Schuylkill Haven, said. He noted the school was like an enzyme, and that friends and family were like a catalyst. He said his fellow graduates were “notable.”
He is the son of Stephen and Aimee Zimmerman. He will attend the University of Delaware, majoring in chemical engineering.
Chesakis spoke about a strong work ethic and each person having significance. He referred to the book, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven,” by Mitch Albom.
“In our lifetime, we will leave a lasting impression on at least five people,” he said. “Trust the abilities you have learned to guide you.”
Chesakis, 17, is the son of Jim and Rosanne Chesakis, Schuylkill Haven. He will attend Penn State University, majoring in business administration. He was accepted into the Penn State Schuylkill Honors Program.
Senior Class President Tabatha Bauer welcomed guests and recognized families, teachers, administrators and her fellow graduates who have played a role in shaping the class.
“We’ll never forget where we came from,” she said.
High School Principal Sarah Yoder presented the Class of 2016 to receive their diplomas. Scott Jacoby, school board president, offered words of encouragement and assisted during the diploma distribution.
The ceremony was colorful, with music and a mix of young voices. The high school and middle school band, under the direction of Carla Capella, offered “Pomp and Circumstance” during the processional. Other musical selections came courtesy of the Little Hurricanes, who sang “Intentional Life” and “Happiness,” under the guidance of director Gloria Evert.
As graduates entered the field, two-by-two, the females each carried a single sunflower, which was the class flower. Some graduates had decorated their caps, adding paint, tape and sparkling baubles. Some said “That’s All Folks,” “ESU Bound” and “Penn State”.
Makenzie Umbenhour’s cap paid tribute to Peter Pan and stated “Never Grow Up.” Umbenhour, 18, of Schuylkill Haven, plans to study media arts and animation at SNHU, New Hampshire.
Meanwhile, David Kane took a pen to the inside of his cap, writing his name so he could retrieve it after sending it airborne at the end of the ceremony.
“All of the classes before us have been doing it, so we wanted to keep the tradition going,” Kane, 17, of Lake Wynonah, said. He’ll study secondary education and English at Bloomsburg University.