Congratulations to the Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Recipients!
During Thursday’s beautiful commencement ceremony on May 28, two outstanding students were recognized for their exceptional academic achievement and dedication as recipients of the KASD Education Foundation’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian Scholarships. These prestigious honors celebrate the hard work, leadership, and commitment demonstrated by the top graduates of the Class of 2026. Congratulations to both recipients on this remarkable accomplishment!
Recipient of the John & Laila Silan Valedictorian Scholarship:
Miss Joslyn Diffenbaugh
Joslyn has made the most of her time at Kutztown Area High School by balancing a wide range of activities in academics, music, athletics, and clubs. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Concert Band, Marching Band, Debate Club, and Senior SMART Mentor program. She also participated in Odyssey of the Mind, where her team was a two-time World Finalist, and served as a School Board Representative during her junior year. For the past four years, Joslyn has been a member of the Varsity Field Hockey Team. She serves as Secretary of the National Art Honor Society and received the Top Female Scholar Athlete Award, along with recognition for the Pennsylvania High School Field Hockey Association All-State Team Academic Award. Outside of school, Joslyn is the founder of the Kutztown Teen Banned Book Club, participates in tap and ballet at Repertory Ballet Academy & Dance Theater, represented Kutztown Area High School at the HOBY Youth Leadership State Seminar, and was a member of the Disney Dreamers Academy Class of 2023. Her awards and honors this year include the KAHS Scholar Athlete Award, Ruth Grim Leestma Scholarship, The Maryanne “Bieb” Bieber Hartline Memorial Scholarship, Social Studies Scholarship Award, American Association of University Women Recognition of Scholastic Achievement, Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, Judith L. Schwank Good Citizenship Award, and recognition from the National Art Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and National Honor Society. In the fall, Joslyn will attend Yale University to major in Political Science and History. A quote from her Valedictorian speech stated: “When our goals change, when our pathway changes against our will, it’s easy to think that we failed. Change isn’t failure. Change is exploration. It’s okay for our pathways to branch off, ignoring the path we originally laid out for ourselves. Allow yourself to have some grace, accept and embrace change, even when it feels like you may have failed. Having a perfect pathway, or even one at all, isn’t what matters most. Instead, perseverance through change matters more than our mistakes.”
Congratulations, Joslyn! Good luck at Yale University and in all of your future endeavors!
Recipient of the John & Laila Silan Salutatorian Scholarship:
Miss Clara Engel
Clara has made a lasting impact at Kutztown Area High School through her outstanding involvement in academics, athletics, music, and clubs. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Debate Team, and Senior SMART Mentor Program. Clara also served as a Lab Aide and Chemistry Tutor. She was a four-year member of both the Varsity Tennis Team and Varsity Track & Field Team. In music, Clara participated in Choir and Select Choir throughout all four years of high school. Her many honors this year include the KAHS Scholar Athlete Award, Berks Sports Hall of Fame Female Scholar Athlete Award, Outstanding Female Athlete Award, Kutztown Area Hall of Fame Award for Best Female Athlete, U.S. Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award, Kutztown Area High School Alumni Award in German, Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, Judith L. Schwank Healthy Living Award, Richard A. Sterner Memorial STEM Scholarship, Bruce & Rita Schwalm Golden Cougar Award, Science Staff Award, and recognition from the Tri-M Music Honor Society, National Honor Society, and Science National Honor Society. Clara’s athletic accomplishments are equally impressive. She was part of the Doubles Tennis Team Berks Flight 1 County Runner-Up team and became a Berks County Champion in the Triple Jump three out of four years, as well as a Berks County Champion in the Long Jump during her junior year. Clara was also a PIAA District 3 AA Champion in both the Triple Jump and Long Jump during her junior and senior years and earned the title of PIAA State AA Champion in Long Jump during her senior year. She currently holds the Kutztown Area High School and Berks County record in the Triple Jump, along with the Kutztown Area High School, Berks County, and District 3 AA record in the Long Jump. In the fall, Clara will attend Lehigh University to major in Chemical Engineering while continuing her athletic career as a member of the Women’s Track & Field Team. Clara concluded her Salutatorian speech by saying: “But wherever you are going next, remember to keep this in mind. Find new friends, surround yourself with a new community, and find your thing that you look forward to seeing every day, because while it’s the destination that we’re all fighting for, it’s the journey that you remember the most.”
Congratulations, Clara! Good luck at Lehigh University and in all of your future endeavors!