The Harry S Truman High School community gathered on Thursday, June 4, to celebrate and honor the outstanding students and many achievements of the Class of 2026.
In the Lou Volpe Auditorium, various community figures, benefactors and representatives of community groups and organizations took the stage to grant scholarships to graduating seniors. Truman faculty members also presented department and course awards to seniors.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the families and civic and community organizations that step forward and provide scholarships and awards for our exceptional seniors,” said Superintendent Michael Nitti. “Their belief in our mission and support of our schools will help these outstanding young individuals continue their academic work after graduation.”
Truman faculty members Philip Gravuer and Thomas Veit served as Masters of Ceremony for the event. After each student was honored or presented an award, a video screen detailed their post-graduate plans.
"Be proud of what you have accomplished, but do not let this be the best thing you ever do. Keep growing. Keep showing up. Keep proving to yourself what you are capable of," Principal Jon Craig told students in his closing address.
The commencement ceremony for Truman’s Class of 2026 is scheduled for June 10 at the school’s athletic complex.
Below is a list of the scholarship and award honorees:
Scholarships
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Billy Gerlach Scholarship
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Lacey Rhodes
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Zach Black Scholarship
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Kaumu Ndegwa
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Lou Volpe Theater Scholarship
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Gracie Fink Peralta
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Aggie Sassani Memorial Scholarship
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Nazem DeJesus
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Heart of Davies Scholarship
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Braelynn Bickings
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Elizabeth Delaney
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Grace Rugarber
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Gavin Kenworthy
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Alexander Andrade
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Jillyan Saperstein
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Bristol Township Educational Assn Scholarship
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Mariah Bennett
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Kahlynne Hanssens
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Rabia Kahraman
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Liana Schantz
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Allison Stone
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Lacey Rhodes
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Kayla Toth
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Natalie Trzaskawka
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The John K. Harder Resilience in Verse Poetry Scholarships
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Nilufer Bektas
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Elizabeth Delaney
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Christine Pratt
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Foundations Community Partnership Scholarship
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Ahmad Gaga
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THE ANNA MAE & WILLIAM (PETE) LOFTUS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP of the Bucks County Foundation
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Payge Engle
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James R. Cadwallader Scholarship of the Bucks County Foundation
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Gracie Fink-Peralta
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Heather MacHenry Memorial Scholarship
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Joseph Nguyen
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Kristine Tufarolo Memorial Scholarship
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Andrew Gabor
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Class of 1982 Scholarship
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Jillyan Saperstein
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Celia O'Donnell
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Christine Pratt
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Mateo Mendez
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ELD Scholarship
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Venia Pierre
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Ebenezer Goodlin
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Kiwanis Student of the Year
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Jonathan Updike
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B2BA Scholarship
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Jillyan Saperstein
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Mat's Pharmacy Scholarship
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Jordy Matute
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Deandre Ocasio
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Kayla Sisco
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EKO Club of Philadelphia
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Ikram Somoye
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Mill Creek Scholarships
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Emir Ozturk
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Celia O'Donnell
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Ahman B. Fralin Memorial Scholarship
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Rachelle Dennis
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Harry S Truman Band Boosters Scholarship
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Jack Ritchie
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Red Cross Scholarship
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Audrey McGeachy
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Brendan Davis
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Truman STEM Scholarship
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Dylan Caracappa
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BTSD Administrator Scholarship (Act 93)
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Mark Baradziej
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Jacob Geist
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Tiger STRONG Scholarships
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Joanna Trzaska-Laracuente
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Rachelle Dennis
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Abbott/Nessen Memorial Scholarship
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Lawson Pearce
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Gavin Kenworthy
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Jillyan Saperstein
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Phoenix Scholarship
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Briyelle Short
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Chloe Vingless
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Principal's Scholarship
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Emily Wang
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Department Awards
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Technology Award
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Connor Freer
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Civil Engineering Award
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Emir Ozturk
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Digital Electronics Award
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Brendan Davis
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Engineering Capstone Award
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Joseph Nguyen
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Ryan Rutherford
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Unified Leadership Award
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Michael Montanya
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Lacey Rhodes
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Mya Deleon
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Physical Education Award
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Michael Montanya
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Rabia Kahraman
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Biology Award
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Nadia Mohli
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Chemistry Award
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Gabriella Carreno
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Physics Award
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Nadia Mohli
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Anatomy & Physiology Award
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Jillyan Saperstein
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Deandre Ocasio
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Excellence in Social Studies Award
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Jude Lazzari
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Maynard Pennington Social Studies Award
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Nilufer Bektas
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Instrumental Music Award
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Audrey McGeachy
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Brandon Montoya-Long
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Chorus Award
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Brandon Savoy
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Fine Arts/Painting Award
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Allison Stone
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Business Award
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Alexander Andrade
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Basic Clothing Award
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Lucas Matthews
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Resources for Living Award
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Abigail Pojah
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Theatre Award
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Nolan Goldey
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Mathematics Award
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Nadia Mohli
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English Award
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Nilufer Bektas
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Journalism Award
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Theresa McIntyre
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Creative Writing Award
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Chloe Vingless
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Creative Advertising Award
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Mark Baradziej
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Heroes and Villains Award
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Jack Ritchie
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Mystery Literature Award
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Mary Cannon
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African American Literature Award
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Nilufer Bektas
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Film Study Award
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Brendan Davis
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Italian Award
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Gabriella Carreno
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Spanish Award
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Jordy Matute
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Extra-Curricular Awards
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Drama Award
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Grace Rugarber
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Stage Crew Award
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Emir Ozturk
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Carl Grecco Legacy Award
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Nilufer Bektas
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BTSD Speech Award
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Ahmad Gaga
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Jacob Geist
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VOICE Leadership Award
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Nicholas Logue
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Nadia Mohli
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Joseph Nguyen
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Key Club Award
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Audrey McGeachy
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Key Club Best Participator
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Brendan Davis
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Selected by Administrators
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Truman Service Award
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Payge Engle
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For Dedication and Service to Harry S Truman HS
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Gracie Fink-Peralta
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Truman Spirit Award
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Michael Montanya
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For demonstrating outstanding school spirit
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Rabia Kahraman
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Truman Award
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Ahmad Gaga
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For Academic Achievement and Involvement in School/Community Functions
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Nilufer Bektas
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Scholar-Athlete Award
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Jillyan Saperstein
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For Academic Achievement and Participation in Varsity Sports
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Alexander Andrade
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Tiger Award
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Jada Akins
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For Academic and Athletic Achievement
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Austin Allen
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Principal's Award
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Nadia Mohli
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For Academic Excellence
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