It was a school year unlike any other, filled with much uncertainty and adversity.

But the Tamaqua senior class stuck together and didn’t let anything stand in the way of their academic success. Family and friends gathered at the Tamaqua Stadium on Tuesday night to celebrate the Class of 2021.

“One thing I did know is that we, the Class of 2021, were going to make the most of our senior year, whether it was in or out of school,” said class president Nate Wickersham.

“I truly believe that there would be no other class that would have been able to do what we did, and make this year the best possible senior year.”

Speakers used key words such as gratitude, thankfulness and effort to describe an ambitious and impressive group of students.

“The word for me is gratitude,” said Superintendent Ray Kinder.

“I’m thankful for your leadership and willingness to be part of solutions. I appreciate your contributions academically. Your achievements have more than helped our school maintain its academic focus. I value your attitude while accepting change in your work ethic in making things become reality. We are all indebted to you for leading us through uncharted waters and refusing to give up. Thank you for being an inspiration to your teachers, staff and community.”

Valedictorian Caitlin Smith stressed thankfulness in her speech. Smith has a cumulative grade-point average of 100.9320, and plans to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for mechanical engineering.

“At a time when the world has kept us so far apart, many of us have gotten to spend more time with the people we live with more than ever. Although we may not see eye-to-eye with them every moment, we’ve been fortunate enough to have more time to see the impact they have on our lives every day,” Smith said.

“We have many people to thank for being a part of this journey. My challenge to all of you today is to thank them. If everyone in the stadium reaches out to at least one person who has made a difference in their lives in the next couple of days, there will be that much more thankfulness in this world. And we will be able to keep accomplishing things together, just as we had in the beginning.”

Guest speaker Dr. Erin Lehatto Cipko, a 2001 Tamaqua graduate, is a dual-board certified pediatrician and neonatologist. She encouraged the senior class to do a few things; job shadow, never give up and take breaks when necessary. But perhaps most importantly, embrace life changes.

“Your career at some point, will likely change whether you like it or not. Many people dislike change because it is so hard,” Cipko said.

“Life is easy when you’re comfortable, but comfort does not equal improvement. If you want a rewarding career, you need to remember this; only with the ability to adapt to change will you be a successful person in your career. … Just remember that change is a good thing. People tend to forget that.”

The 131st graduating class of Tamaqua has 44 graduates who plan on going directly to a four-year college or university; 82 who plan to pursue an associate degree program, business or trade school; 10 who plan on entering education, five who pan to enter a branch of the military and 13 who have made employment commitments.

“Most of the time, effort will help you overcome many of life’s obstacles,” said Principal Thomas McCabe. “Too often, people fail in life, because they choose to quit, rather than to work harder. Graduates: continue to work harder each day of your life, and you will achieve all of your life goals.”