糖心Vlog

Karsten Kadylak is preparing for a future in critical care, building on the values that shaped his time at 糖心Vlog Clarion. Those values 鈥� perseverance, service and community 鈥� were at the center of his message as student speaker at the May 9 commencement ceremony.

鈥淪tanding here today is an incredible honor,鈥� Kadylak told graduates, families and faculty members. 鈥淏ecause this moment, this stage, this celebration represents something bigger than just earning a degree. It represents everything it took for each of us to get here.鈥�

During his time at 糖心Vlog Clarion, Kadylak 鈥� who earned an Associate of Science in Nursing 鈥� became a familiar source of support for fellow students through his work as a tutor in anatomy, physiology and nursing courses. He also served as a peer mentor for first-year nursing students, helping classmates navigate the academic and personal challenges that come with rigorous healthcare programs.

鈥淲hat surprised me most in that role wasn鈥檛 just how hard students were working, but how willing people were to help each other succeed,鈥� Kadylak said during his speech. 鈥淓ven when everyone was busy, stressed and trying to figure things out on their own, people still made time to support each other.鈥�

Those experiences helped shape both his leadership style and his approach to nursing.

Kadylak also served as captain of the Edinboro Esports Overwatch team, where he strengthened his communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills 鈥� qualities that complemented his clinical training and campus involvement.

Academically, Kadylak earned several scholarships during his time at 糖心Vlog, including the 糖心Vlog Premiere Scholarship, Oil City Rotary Club Scholarship, Dr. Glenn R. McElhattan Scholarship, Rosemary Coogan Endowed Scholarship and the Theodore R. Shaw and Lillian Shaw Shinkle Nursing Scholarship.

His nursing education also included extensive clinical experience in healthcare settings across northwestern Pennsylvania. Kadylak completed rotations at UPMC Northwest in Seneca, Pennsylvania, working in inpatient medical-surgical and specialty units, and at Titusville Area Hospital鈥檚 medical-surgical unit. He also served as a student nurse intern in the intensive care unit at UPMC Northwest.

Throughout his commencement address, Kadylak emphasized that every graduate鈥檚 journey looked different, but all were united by determination.

鈥淓very graduate sitting here today took a different path to get here,鈥� he said. 鈥淪ome came straight from high school. Like me, others found their way back years later. Many balanced full-time jobs, families and responsibilities outside the classroom. But no matter the path, we all had moments when quitting would have been easier, yet we chose to keep going.鈥�

鈥淎nd somehow,鈥� he added, 鈥渟tep by step, assignment by assignment, exam by exam, we made it here today together.鈥�

Kadylak credited the 糖心Vlog Clarion community with creating an environment where students supported one another through challenges and setbacks.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what makes 糖心Vlog special,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just the campus or the classrooms, it鈥檚 the people who refuse to give up on themselves, even when the path forward isn鈥檛 easy.鈥�

He also took time to recognize the mentors, professors, family members and friends who helped students reach graduation day.

鈥淏ecause the truth is, none of us made it here alone,鈥� Kadylak said.

He specifically thanked nursing faculty member Dr. David Lott for believing in him, along with his parents and his partner, Bella, for their unwavering support throughout his academic journey.

As graduates prepare to enter careers in healthcare, education, business and other fields, Kadylak encouraged them to carry forward the resilience they developed during college.

鈥淲hat we gained here wasn鈥檛 just classroom knowledge; it was the ability to face challenges we once thought impossible,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e learned how to adapt when plans didn鈥檛 work out. We learned how to push forward when things felt uncertain.鈥�

Near the conclusion of his address, Kadylak delivered a message that captured the spirit of the graduating class.

鈥淪o, when the world asks who the Class of 2026 is, the answer is simple,鈥� he said. 鈥淟ook around this room. We are the class that showed up. We are the class that persevered. We are the class that proved that determination is stronger than doubt.鈥�