Photo by Crystal Reed
Co valedictorian Savannah Hagerman speaks during the Okaw Valley High School commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 14.

•May 18, 2022•
by Crystal Reed
NP Writer

The Okaw Valley school district held graduation ceremonies for the class of 2022 on Saturday, May 14, in the high school gymnasium. This year’s co-valedictorians are Evelyn Ashley and Savannah Hagerman and salutatorian is Amelia Landreth. The class motto is “In ourselves our future lies.”
Superintendent Kent Stauder presented Hall of Fame inductees during the ceremony. For the Volunteer Hall of Fame, inductees were Soo Harris and David Benning. Shawn Creviston was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame.     Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story. 


Photo by Crystal Reed
Co valedictorian Evelyn Ashley speaks during Okaw Valley High School’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2022.

Class President Braeden Nichols addressed the crowd, and he recalled memories the graduating class had made together. He said that COVID made their high school experience unique, and there were people he had not seen since sophomore year. He noted that day would be the last they would see each other.
Salutatorian Amelia Landreth took the podium and said her personal motto for the year was 9:34, get out the door. Her first class the second semester of the year was her third hour class, and she had to be out of her house at 9:34 a.m. to make it on time. Landreth credited Principal Matt Shoaff and the teachers at the high school as instrumental in pushing her to be better.
Co-valedictorian Savannah Hagerman spoke about the uncertainty that the class had encountered, especially in the past few years due to the pandemic. Hagerman said that high school has taught them to get through things with a resilient spirit.
Co-valedictorian Evelyn Ashley addressed adaptability. Ashley said she adapted to a shortened basketball season and virtual scholastic bowl competitions. She also said she was confident that no matter where her fellow graduates go, they will be successful.
The program listed 43 graduates. Later, on Saturday afternoon, some of the seniors participated in a car parade, escorted by emergency vehicles, which traveled through Bethany and Findlay.