Celebrating the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Recipient

Mikal C. Harden is recognized as this year’s

Distinguished Alumna at the Annual

Foundation Reception on May 28, 2025.

On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the Annual KASD Education Foundation Reception, the Foundation recognized this year’s Distinguished Alumna. The reception was held at Setter Ridge Vineyards, Kutztown and catered by the Kempton Kitchen. In addition to the Distinguished Alumna’s family and friends, the reception was also attended by KASD Administration, School Board and Education Foundation Board Members, and numerous donors.

Distinguished Alumna, Mikal C. Harden, Class of 1994, addressed the group with a focus on thanking her family and friends for their influence on her success, for their impact on her happiness, and for their many years of love and support.

Mikal also provided the commencement address at the KAHS graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 28, 2025. There, Mikal told the graduates not to let the world define their timeline for success. She acknowledged that she was a “late bloomer” but that she was perseverant and was not afraid to fail. “It is hard to beat a person who never gives up.” She told the class, “You are on your own journey. Keep moving, keep working and keep dreaming.” Mikal concluded by discussing an early personal experience with her childhood hero and fellow Distinguished Alum, Keith Haring. She recounted an act of kindness he extended to her and reminded the audience that he had a deep understanding of community and that he never lost sight of who he was and where he was from.

There IS something special in the water in Kutztown.

Mikal C. Harden delivers the commencement address at the KAHS graduation ceremony on May 29, 2025.

Photo credit: Dennis Krumanocker