Graduation Comes Early for PWHS Senior Bound for the Marine Corps

Lansdowne, PA – June 6, 2024

When Dr. Eric J. Becoats, superintendent of the William Penn School District, recorded the third episode of his podcast “What Do You Say? with Dr Eric J.” on June 3rd, he interviewed three Penn Wood High School members of the Class of 2024 to talk about their next steps as they get ready to graduate on June 13th. During this conversation, he learned that one of them, Gonkarneuetay “Tay” Wowah, was not going to attend graduation because he is joining the Marine Corps and has to leave early for boot camp. Dr. Becoats immediately decided that he was going to do something special to honor Tay so he can have an “official” graduation.

A graduation ceremony for Tay took place on Thursday, June 6th in the Penn Wood High School auditorium. Dr Becoats was joined by principal Mr. Stephen Chicano, assistant principal Ms. Libby Brown, and school counselor Mr. William Garbe.

Tay entered the auditorium to raucous and enthusiastic cheers as Pomp and Circumstance played. Dozens of his fellow classmates, many of his teachers, and his proud family joined in the celebration. Officer Maltes, his Marine Corps recruiter, and PFC Barrett also attended the ceremony.

It was an electrifying moment whenTay was called to the stage to receive his diploma and officially graduate in good standing from Penn Wood High School. If you listen to Dr. Becoats’ podcast episode, you can hear Tay share about how meaningful his time has been in the William Penn School District. Tay moved with his family to the United States from Liberia when he was in fifth grade. He shared about the impact of his participation on the track team in particular, and how much support and care he received from Coach Lenny Jordan and his teammates. Tay was also a member of the soccer team.

We are very proud of Tay and all that he accomplished at Penn Wood High School. As he heads off to boot camp and service in the Marine Corps, we thank him and wish him the best of luck. As Dr. Becoats said during the ceremony Tay “will always have a home in the William Penn School District!”