Nobody will be able to say the Palmerton Area High School Class of 2023 didn’t go out with a bang.

Late-day storms Friday pushed the 102-member class’ commencement ceremony to Monday night but the group who has likened itself to a large family was eager to celebrate its accomplishments.

Like any family, the Class of 2023 grew and learned together, but also had its share of differences. It is those differences, salutatorian Emma Martinez said, that brought the group together.

“With such a high achieving and competitive class, you might assume that everyone was out for their own success, but that is far from the truth,” Martinez said. “Our class was able to build each other up and help each other reach our goals at an academic, athletic, and extracurricular level. I will forever be grateful for what my classmates have done to set me up for success in the future. Despite any difference in interests and beliefs, as a class we were able to work together as a family to help each other achieve our goals.”

Palmerton’s Class of 2023 accolades include record-breaking National Future Business Leaders of America success, playing a large part in three consecutive sold-out nights of the drama club production “Grease” this past spring, a combination of 19 Colonial League and District XI championships, and many musical accomplishments such as Fiona Winger’s county band selection.

“All of these exceptional accomplishments were the culmination of talent and members of our class working together, doing everything that they could to help their peers succeed,” Martinez said.

Ethan Jones, class valedictorian, said he and his classmates never stopped dreaming from kindergarten through high school. Along the way they made unbreakable bonds with friends, lifelong memories and became who they are today.

“We dreamed of growing up,” Jones said. “We dreamed of graduating and being successful. What we didn’t realize is that we weren’t only dreaming, we were planning our futures. We all dream of success, great lives and great careers. We will reach our dreams and be successful because we’ll never give up and never stop trying.”

It wasn’t until Friday morning when High School Principal Paula Husar finished her remarks for the Class of 2023. She wanted them to be, “just right.”

“This was a great class filled with great students,” Husar said. “They certainly kept me going through many bleak and gray days. Many of you are athletically, artistically, musically or academically gifted. However, the most impressive and important quality is that you are simply good people. That says it all.”

Superintendent Dr. Jodi Frankelli urged the graduates to focus their time, energy and resources on people and building relationships rather than gathering materialistic items.

“Collect experiences instead of stuff,” she said. “Ultimately, in the end, life should be about your experiences, relationships and memories with families and friends.”

When Board President Tammy Recker signed the diplomas that were handed out Monday night, she had a flashback to her grandmother, Nanny Lulu, who always seemed to have a connection to a name she read in the newspaper.

“I read every name before signing mine on the diplomas,” Recker said. “Every name seemed to have a connection to someone or something familiar. I recognized National Honor Society names, athletes, FBLA members, class officers, drama members, senior award recipients and the list goes on. Every individual is special and loved by someone who knows someone who can be connected back to each of us in one way or another. That’s what makes Palmerton Palmerton.”

In a tight-knit town such as Palmerton, Martinez said, the community as a whole serves as extended family for students.

“Not many people can say that they have had a fire truck escort into their hometown after winning a big championship or a personal parade through their park on prom day, but our community has given us all of these memorable experiences that will be cherished for the rest of our lives,” she said. “The community has been our biggest supporters, filling up the stands and auditorium seats, cheering us on every step of the way. This community has continuously been a prime example of supporting one another for the common good of our town. I believe that the Palmerton community has raised the class of 2023 to know that family comes first, and that attitude is what has made our time in the high school so successful and special.”