“You have the power to shape your community. Success isn’t just about what you achieve. It’s about what you give.” came from Danielle Forker, the keynote speaker, who is a graduate of Lyco CTC and now the senior director of nursing at Geisinger Medical Center Muncy.

On Thursday night at Hughesville High School, the packed auditorium was filled with 90 graduates, along with friends, families and Lyco CTC faculty and staff. Those graduates came from the Benton Area, East Lycoming, Loyalsock Township, Montoursville Area, Muncy and Warrior Run school districts, representing a wide swath of Lycoming County communities.

Graduates completed their studies in automotive technology, computer systems technology, construction technology, criminal justice, culinary arts, health careers and early childhood education. In addition, a portion of the graduates excelled in their studies for inclusion in the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS).

One NTHS member was Martina Weaver from the East Lycoming School District, who was named the 2025 Student of the Year. She was chosen for the honor, after a rigorous process. Each instructor nominates one student and subsequently the Student of the Year recipient is chosen based on grades, work ethic and attendance. In addition, the student’s participation in opportunities presented by Lyco CTC, for example cooperative job experiences, is taken into consideration.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Construction Technology instructor Phil Aiken presents a certificate to Briar Daugherty of Loyalsock Towhship High School during Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

“The experience you gained here is something that employers value,” said Forker.

Forker detailed how those graduates will embark on new journeys now that their time at Lyco CTC has come to an end. According to her, 51% of them will continue their education at colleges, universities and technical schools. In addition, 40% will join the workforce and 9% will serve in the armed forces.

“When you give back, you build stronger connections,’ said Forker.

The keynote speaker pointed out that each graduate had help from their instructors, parents, guardians, families and friends. Forker then asked them to pay it forward.

“Each of you is here because someone invested in you,” said Forker. “You didn’t get here alone.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Construction Technology instructor Phil Aiken, middle, hands out envelopes to his seniors, Brandno Heddings, left, Briar Dauugherty, middle, and Logan Merrifield before Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School.

She challenged graduates to go beyond their professional journey in serving their communities and consider volunteering at non-profits.

After Forker’s remarks, graduates took to the stage to receive their certificates, with cheers ringing out throughout the auditorium as each student crossed the stage, most with broad smiles.

One graduate succinctly summed up the vibe of Lyco CTC’s 2025 Senior Ceremony. Her graduation cap was ornately adorned with stickers and words attributed to Mahatma Gandhi that read, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Health Career seniors Morgan Beaghley, left, Lily Wertman, middle, and Mia Long, all of Muncy pose for a selfie before Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
McKenna Daniels of Muncy High School gives a “thumbs-up” as seniors are lined up before Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Louisiana Baez Merdedes of Warrior Run High School used tape from her Criminal Justice class to decorate her mortar board as the seniors line up for Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Seniors file down the hall of Hughesville High School for Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Seniors in Automotive Technology listen to speakers during Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Brailey Frantz of Muncy High School hugs Health Careers instructor Amanda Wallace while receiving her certificate during Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Health Careers instructors Amanda Wallace, left, Lily Wertman of Muncy High School, middle, and Dawn Shaffer, take a bow at the end of the presentation of certificates during Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Student of Year Martina Weaver gives her presentation during Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Ava Eisenhower receives a bouquet of flowers and a hug from her sister Kyri, 4, follow Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. The School presented certificates to 90 seniors from six area school in studies including Health Careers, Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and Computer Technology.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent
Martina Weaver receives a hug from her Health Careers instructor Dawn Shaffer following Lycoming Career and Technology Center’s annual Senior Ceremony Thursday at Hughesville High School. Weaver was chosen as the Student of the Year.