The playing of "Pomp and Circumstance" brought tears to the eyes of some members of the Lehighton graduates as the 49 girls and 85 boys took their seats during the processional for the 126th Commencement in the high school gymnasium Friday night.

"Graduation is a one-time event that creates lifetime memories" said Tim Tkach, high school principal, in thanking everyone for making the event so rewarding.Superintendent James Kraky said that the graduates should not focus on a quick fix to success in their life. He said that success isn't based on luck, but on consistent hard work.Providing the welcome was Kenzie Teno, class president. She noted that the story of her class started in kindergarten when they were all introduced to each other. She said that they grew up in the blink of an eye in completing their high school days."My wish for all of you is to always look on the bright side of life, listen to your heart, become successful and continually follow your pursuit of happiness, because they bittersweet celebration is not the end of the road, but merely a beginning,"said Teno.Samantha Cerimele, salutatorian, said, "It has been four long years, but the day has finally come."She noted that she often finds herself reflecting on her high school experience."Our high school years mean something different for each one of us, whether we were involved in academics, music, sports, clubs, working or simply struggling to get through," she said.Cerimele suggested that her classmates take with them fond memories and friendships that they formed for so many years."We will take with us the lessons we have learned form the relationships that we have experienced during our high school years," she said. "The beauty of the future is that every single person has an opportunity to mold it, to seize it, and most importantly, to enjoy it. We are limited only by our motivation to succeed."Kirk Arner, valedictorian, shared his insight to graduation and moving on."For some of us, this may be the last time we'll see each other, as we gradually begin to venture off into our respective futures," he said. "While we should never forget all the fun, meaningful memories that we have had here in Lehighton, we must remember that we are ultimately moving on to bigger and better things."Arner said that he decided to make his speech sound like a conversation, and be genuine."If writing this speech has taught me anything, it's that life isn't always what you expect it to be. Nothing will be perfect. Life is perfectly imperfect," he said.Arner cited several examples that expressed his point of view, including Thomas Edison's light bulb and the Wright Brothers' airplane.Arner said that even with their invention imperfections, we can learn a lesson in never giving up."None of us are perfect, rather we are imperfect," he said. "We are all fundamentally flawed at our core. It's what makes us human. Rather than lament these imperfections, we should instead rejoice in them, embrace them, understand them and ultimately learn and grow from them."Arner concluded with, "Don't settle for your current situation. Complacency is rooted in apprehension toward the unknown. Don't fear things that are new or foreign to your and certainly don't fear failure. Dare to be perfectly imperfect and you will find success."Tkack recommended the students for graduation and they were accepted by Kraky.The diplomas were presented to the students by David Krause, president of the Lehighton Area School Board.