The Pleasant Valley High School Class of 2020 was excited Friday afternoon as they prepared to receive their diplomas at graduation at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond.

The class of 346 students said their farewells, shed a few tears, shared a few laughs, as they stepped into the next phase of their lives. Most of the class was able to attend their graduation, but four students were granted their diplomas in June. Christal Awe, Madison Beerwa, Ismael Cenexant and Deven Venegas had to leave for basic training in the military.

High school principal Matthew Triolo talked about how unorthodox this school year was, the plausible elation of a two-week break in March that turned into a feeling of house arrest; the adjustment to online learning and the loss of anticipated events - spring sports, the musical, prom. All the while, the school and its teachers made it clear that grades counted and assignments had to be completed.

“You met the challenge,” he said. “You had to do more research, type more emails, and create more documents than you ever had before. You met the challenge. Listen ... I was in the Google classrooms. You were turning in assignments at midnight, and then 7 a.m. that very morning. Your work ethic had never been so strong, and here’s some great news, work ethic never leaves you. You’ll always remember how hard this was, and no challenge moving forward will seem too daunting.”

Since the seniors needed to be waiting in their cars to drive out onto the speedway, the speeches of the valedictorian, salutatorians, and class officers were recorded, but the messages were heartfelt. Yes, two salutatorians, just another one of 2020’s twists.

Valedictorian Emily Gethen’s speech thanked her family, friends and teachers who helped and inspired her along the way, and she reminisced about life in a rural town. She also challenged her classmates to branch out, grow and discover new places and aspects of themselves. Her experience as a foreign exchange student to Malaysia gave her that first taste of independence.

“Wherever you are headed, I promise you, there are people who are patient, loving and kind, and it is worth your time and initial discomfort, even through a language barrier, to find friendship in the people who you’re gonna meet,” she said. “From here on, there will be this element of newness, and there will be changes in your habits and the company you keep, how you spend your time. Enjoy that feeling of possibility. You’ve earned it with your diploma. Be grateful for the ones who have loved you along the way and don’t forget to pass it forward. I am so proud of you and I love you so much.”

John Berry and Ethan Fisher-Perez shared the honor of salutatorian.

Berry compared life to a game. “Since it’s a game, we need points, because who doesn’t like a little competition,” he said.

Berry said the points in life add up through the amount of happiness a person gives to others and the amount of fulfillment a person feels. Happiness and fulfillment can be developed through lifelong friendships, cherished memories, and giving back to the community.

“If you haven’t amassed a tremendous lead, that’s fine, too,” he said. “Realistically, we’re not even a quarter of the way through.”

He warned them that although time is plenty, don’t squander it.

“Every second is precious, so make it count. Listen to your friends and parents, or teammates and coaches, because they can see the whole field, while you only see what’s directly in front of you,” he said. “Make the most of it before the clock runs out and the final whistle blows.”

Fisher-Perez challenged his classmates to be empathetic to people who face struggles in their lives. He spoke of his own struggles and of never wanting to fail.

“You don’t have to understand someone’s motivations in order to just listen to them,” he said. “I’m sure our struggles are much more similar to each other’s than we realize.”

Triolo told the seniors that he has never respected a class more than this one.

“Not everyone we expected to be here today could be with us, but that’s not to say that every member of this class doesn’t feel each other’s love, energy and compassion, which you have shown such a great deal of on so many occasions,” he said.

“Class of 2020, what you have done is lay the groundwork for ‘no more excuses.’ ‘But Mr. Triolo, this is unfair’ ... you want to see unfair, talk to the Class of 2020. They endured. ‘But Mr. Triolo, this is too hard’ ... you want to see too hard, talk to the Class of 2020 ... they’ll show you hard. ‘But Mr. Triolo, you don’t understand’ ... no folks, I do understand. I understand that if you put your mind to something, give it your all, and have the strength to ignore all the barriers that are in your way, you can do anything. Talk to the Class of 2020. They are by far the strongest individuals you will ever come across. Seniors, thank you.”