Midway through her Gateway High School Commencement welcome address, Juliana Guido had to pause.

“I didn’t think I was going to cry,” she said.

But the subject matter merited tears.

“I think it’s appropriate to take a moment to remind all of my fellow classmates on this field with me today that it is a privilege to be here, not a right. Some students are not able to be here today,” Guido, class president as a junior and senior at Gateway, told the crowd gathered May 31 at Walter “Pete” Antimarino Stadium in Monroeville.

“One of those kids is my dear friend Matthew Jacko. Matthew tragically passed away our third-grade year, after a courageous battle with terminal brain cancer,” she said. “He never got to walk through these halls or play on the field with the other football players, like he dreamed of doing.

“I do know, though, that he is looking down on all of us with a cap and gown on, and smiling, smiling because we were able to make it through this journey for him. And I dedicate this speech to you, Matthew.”

Guido joined valedictorian Joshua Burns and salutatorian Marina Grado as Class of 2023 members who offered comments prior to receiving their diplomas.

Burns, a member of the Gateway High School Chorale, took the podium after performing as a soloist as the group sang “For Good” from the musical “Wicked.”

“Ever since fourth grade, when I first joined the band, I spent many years with countless hours practicing and playing music for groups both inside and outside of school.”

“I also spent a lot of time and effort in my classes in school, but I always made time to participate in the activities that I am passionate about,” he said.

“Having a proper balance in both school and extracurricular activities is what allowed me to make it through my many years of schooling. I believe that having a passion is extremely important, whether that be found in some avenue of the arts or a sport that you’re involved in, or just any activity that you enjoy.”

Grado recalled a school assignment for which she exchanged letters across the world with her lola, a word for “grandmother” in the Philippines, “a country where nearly 20% of the citizens live at or below the poverty line.”

“She has firsthand knowledge of how fortunate we are to be in a position to receive a top-tier education in America,” Grado said. “She reminded me how each and every one of us has the capability to find and secure success in a country that is so rich in opportunity.”

The salutatorian shared her grandmother’s advice with her Gateway classmates.

“I know that we all have different finish lines that we are looking to cross in life, and not everyone’s goal is to speak at graduation,” she said. “But whether your goals are ones that are rooted in academics, athletics, arts, altruism, allegiance or advocacy, I hope Lola’s simple yet powerful message can teach each of you to recognize that you can and will achieve your goals if you put your mind to it and commit your body to it.”

In her speech, Guido acknowledged students’ contributions to the community through membership in various school organizations.

“Clubs like No Place for Hate and the Black Student Union showcased how diversity and inclusion fuel positivity amongst our youth,” she said. “Although differences in ideologies may seem prevalent in the world today, these students made it their duty to counter stereotypes and focus on the beauty that comes from engaging truly diverse and inclusive environments, like the one that’s around us here at GHS.”

She spoke about the many accomplishments by Gateway athletes during her senior year.

“In particular, the bocce team, which was a first-year program at Gateway, redefined what sports are all about,” Guido said. “Consisting of a truly inclusive and all-encompassing group of students, this team broke barriers, won the section championship and achieved a spot in the regional competition this year.”

To her classmates, she offered a look toward the future:

“We hold the power to do something great through our choices. We need to remember to thank those around us and never forget those who stood by our side. I know how many of us are so ready to move on, but this is the last moment of our high school career. Cherish it.”

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