MILFORD, PA — Several River Reporter news ambassadors recently graduated from Delaware Valley High School. Throughout the school year, these student journalists went above and beyond to report the news and serve their community. In addition to fulfilling academic and extracurricular commitments, they volunteered to attend school board meetings and provide the River Reporter with agendas, recordings, minutes and commentary so that we could deliver them to readers.
The students permitted us to reprint excerpts from their Senior Farewells, originally published in full in their school newspaper, the Del.Aware. We remain grateful for their contributions to the River Reporter and for their parting words of wisdom and encouragement. All of us wish all of them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

Kaitlin Gelardi
Kaitlin Gelardi, school news editor at the Del.Aware, will attend Penn State University. Kaitlin reflected, “I’ve come to notice that students often overlook the extent to which they have changed. With the busy atmosphere of high school, it can be challenging to reflect on personal growth. Writing this, I am thinking back on my high school career. From the hardships to laughter, I realize how those around me have helped me flourish into the caring and hard-working person I am today.”

Reilly Newton
Reilly Newton, Del.Aware science and technology editor, will attend Temple University. Reilly emphasized, “It is important, as we enter this new chapter, to continue to stay true to ourselves and our principles but also prepare ourselves to maybe develop new ones. Ones like… talking to people who you might not have been drawn to at first, opening your eyes to many different perspectives and keeping an open mind, always having empathy for others—you never know what someone is going through, traveling the world and experiencing all kinds of walks of life—there is so much you can learn from people who resemble nothing of the life you have lived, never looking at a problem through an individual lens, thinking before you act, treating others the way you would want to be treated, trying as hard as you can in every little thing you do and being grateful for what you have.”

Emma Simmons
Emma Simmons, editor-in-chief of the Del.Aware, will attend Millersville University as a Division II Collegiate Athlete. Emma’s farewell concluded, “You need to understand that you are loved and you inspire many more people than you know. However deep and inescapable your pain is, there are always ways to relieve it. Please never, ever disregard your mental health and attempt to solve temporary problems with an irreversible decision.”
“Asking for help is never a weakness; in fact, it is the strongest thing to do. You need a support system. Surround yourself with people who you aspire to be like. Bury yourself in love, either your own or others’. You will always be needed and loved, and you must never forget that. The world is more beautiful with you here.”

Kimberly Smyser
Kimberly Smyser, managing editor of the Del.Aware, will attend Marywood University as a Division III Collegiate Athlete. Kimberly introduced her farewell with these words: “And just like that, high school is over: seeing our childhood friends and all the memories that coincide are merely stories to be told. In a few months, we will all be starting new lives, separate adventures and different stories. I know I am not all-knowing, but I would say I have experienced a decent amount of life, and something I have learned is that you can’t change the past, but you can dictate the future. Say yes to the adventure, talk to different people, take the new course—it’s never too late to make a change for the better.”

Ava Troup
Ava Troup, lifestyle co-editor of the Del.Aware, will attend Penn State University. Ava used her farewell to express gratitude for her teachers and fellow students. “Mrs. Lordi, you have introduced a whole new passion for writing that I never knew existed. Without your support this year, I never would have embraced being a journalist and taken advantage of all the opportunities that being on staff has given to me. Even with the late nights and academic meltdowns, I would not trade my experiences for the world.”
These student journalists and volunteer River Reporter news ambassadors have our gratitude and our friendship. They have inspired, moved and motivated us more than they know. To learn more about the news ambassador program for adults and students, email social@riverreporter.com.