Jim Thorpe graduates were reminded about perseverance and told not to let fear keep them from opportunities during the commencement program at Jim Thorpe Area High School on Friday evening.

The 141 members of the Class of 2025 received their diplomas during graduation ceremonies held in the gymnasium due to the inclement weather forecast.

The graduates made sure to share their special moment with high school Principal Thomas Lesisko, who is retiring Aug. 15. Lesisko welcomed everyone and reminded students of the determination of their school’s namesake.

“You’ve probably heard the saying, ‘When one door closes, another one opens.’ That’s a nice thought, but let’s be real; sometimes doors close, and we stand there awkwardly, waiting for the next one to open. But those doors — open, closed, jammed or even a little squeaky — brought you here.”

He added, “And what better place to talk about doors and determination than Jim Thorpe Area High School, named after one of the most legendary athletes in history. Jim Thorpe had many doors close on him. He always found a way to open another one. Jim Thorpe didn’t just walk through doors — he kicked them open.”

Lesisko said the 1912 Olympic gold medalist thought that his Olympic dreams doors closed when someone stole his shoes. This did not stop Jim Thorpe. He found two mismatched ones — one from a garbage can — and still won gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon. Let me repeat that: he wore two different shoes — and still beat the best athletes in the world.”

Lesisko said it’s not about perfect conditions. “It’s about walking through the door — even if it looks intimidating, or the door handle wobbles, or you feel like you’re not quite ready for what is beyond it.”

Lesisko told the graduates, “Look for the next door and walk toward something better. Don’t be afraid, stand strong, you are Olympians. And definitely don’t be afraid to do it all in mismatched shoes — just as long as you keep moving forward.”

Small moments

Justin Yescavage, class president, reminded his fellow graduates that some of the most important moments started out as seemingly nothing.

Calling those small moments the foundation, he said, “It’s strange how much the “nothing” moments end up meaning the most, like field day in elementary school, when winning the fireman relay felt like the Olympics. Or seventh grade, when we got sent home for “two weeks” because of COVID and didn’t come back until forever later.”

“The moments that felt like nothing were actually everything,” he said. “So, as we move on, I hope we carry that with us. That we keep showing up for people. That we keep doing the small things, helping someone out without being asked, saying hi when it’s easier to walk past, being kind when no one’s keeping score. ... With that I am confident that we will succeed for the rest of our lives. Once an Olympian always an Olympian.”

Value people

Valedictorian Soter Cimbolo began by asking for a round of applause in Lesisko’s honor. “To this day, I am still unsure whether or not Mr. Lesisko lives in the high school because every time I came to a school event, Mr. Lesisko was there, and he always had a smile on his face.”

Cimbolo said he learned through academics “but most of what I learned has been through my experiences during the past four years.”

He warned graduates that money isn’t everything and challenged them. “After we graduate high school, most of us will embark on a journey towards success, but in your search for success, remember to not value illusions like money and wealth over what is real, the people around you.”

He told graduates not to be so afraid of failing that they miss opportunities to succeed. “If there is something you are really passionate about doing, don’t stop because you are afraid of messing up. Making mistakes is how we learn, so as long as we learn from our mistakes, we can never truly fail. Don’t stop because someone tells you to stop.”

Salutatorian Natalia Niemirka pointed out that sometimes you never know the great value something has until it is gone.

“If there is one piece of advice I can share to all the younger classmen who are listening to me today, it would be to live life in the moment.”

She thanked her parents for support and advice, and her sister for competing with her for good grades.

She also thanked Lesisko. “I don’t think I have ever met anyone that was as passionate, caring, and loving to their job as he was. Every single morning Mr. Lesisko stood by the doors to greet us with the most warming, loving smile. If there was any sporting event, musical, or activity that was planned. Mr. Lesisko would be the first person to arrive with his big camera ready to take pictures for his Instagram.”

She challenged graduates. “Remember to stay true to yourselves, to keep on being who you are, and that everything you lose is a step you take.”

Lesisko summed up the evening: “As Olympians, we don’t wait around hoping life hands us the perfect key. We show up, we compete, we endure, and we try again. That’s the spirit of Jim Thorpe. That’s the legacy we carry.”

Asked about his plans on retirement, Lesisko said he didn’t know yet what he would be doing yet. On his first day of retirement, he said, “I’ll take a walk with my wife.”