Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania’s Ready, Set, Graduate! Celebrates Over 100 Students in Two Ceremonies

The graduation ceremonies included scholarship presentations, a keynote address, and diploma presentations to the Class of 2026.

As high school students across the region prepare for graduation, Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania (CIS of Eastern PA) celebrated more than 100 students during its annual Ready, Set, Graduate! ceremonies, honoring the Class of 2026 and recognizing student achievement.

“Many of the students here today have overcome unique challenges on their path to this moment,” said Tim Mulligan, president and CEO of CIS of Eastern PA. “At Ready, Set, Graduate!, we’re celebrating more than a diploma. We’re honoring student resilience, perseverance, and the power of having a community that believes in you. We are incredibly proud of the Class of 2026 and excited to see what comes next for each of them.”

Held in two ceremonies, CIS of Eastern PA celebrated students from the Lehigh Valley and Poconos region on Friday, May 8, at DeSales University. Later in the month, students in Berks, Chester, and Delaware counties celebrated their graduation on Wednesday, May 20, at the Holiday Inn Morgantown. 

Both ceremonies honored the Class of 2026 with cap-and-gown processions, scholarship presentations, and a keynote speaker. This year’s keynote speaker, Jay Sidhu, CEO of Customers Bancorp, Inc., and the author of Never Ever Ever Give Up, shared moments from his life and the power of resilience.  

At the celebration, CIS of Eastern PA awarded scholarships to deserving students. Two scholarships, the Chandler-Barnes Scholarship and the Joan Benner Fuller Scholarship, were awarded. Scholarship recipients included: 

• Joan Benner Fuller Scholarship:

  • Nayara Ortega, Reading High School

• Chandler-Barnes Scholarship:

  • Xavier Morales, William Allen High School

• Kaliz Cannon, Lincoln Leadership Academy Charter School

• Alanna Lynch, Northwestern Lehigh High School

CIS of Eastern PA works directly inside schools to help students overcome barriers to success through integrated student supports focused on attendance, academics, social-emotional learning, and family engagement. The nonprofit serves students across eastern Pennsylvania, helping young people stay in school and achieve their goals.

Ready, Set, Graduate! brought together students, families, CIS of Eastern PA alumni, educators, and community leaders to celebrate not only graduation, but the determination, growth, and support systems that helped students achieve this milestone.