ORWIGSBURG - Graduating seniors were urged to pursue their dreams and take risks in life Monday at the Blue Mountain High School commencement ceremony.
Salutatorian Eric Zimmerman told the 219 graduating seniors to look for guidance from a shelled-reptile.
"I urge you to be like turtles," he said.
Zimmerman said the turtle achieves a lot in its desire to get things accomplished.
"In all seriousness though, think about this, turtles have to stick their necks out whenever they move forward. As we move forward with our lives, I urge you to be like turtles. There are going to be times in your life when you're going to have to stick your neck out. There will be challenges and instead of hiding in a shell, you have to go out and face them head on. The next steps of our lives will be all about meeting new challenges and having the courage and presence of mind to overcome them. Think of it this way, even if it takes an absurd amount of time, the turtle eventually gets to its destination. I urge you all to be like that turtle and to not only make it big, but make it big in whatever you do," he said.
Valedictorian Megan Miller said "13 years of hard work has got us to this point."
She told the graduates to remember their high school days, stay true to who they are and keep an open mind and enjoy life by experiencing new things.
Superintendent Robert Urzillo said he was proud of the graduates, but he does not have a blueprint for success.
"If there is one trait, one characteristic that you will need to develop for success, it is grit. Grit is defined as a passion coupled with persistence. Grit has been identified as a greater determinant of success than your IQ or socioeconomic status," he said.
Guest speaker for the commencement was Scott Wolfe, a 1975 graduate. He talked about his professional life and how his time at Blue Mountain had a role in his success.
Wolfe's advise included five guidelines for the graduates to remember as they enter the wider world.
- Do what you enjoy most and work hard at it
- Embrace change and accept risk
- Follow the golden rule
- Accept failure as a necessary step in your journey
- Appreciate others and be grateful
Kevin Berger, high school principal, urged graduates to do their best.
"It's all up to you now," he said.