PINE GROVE - Rain and lightning Tuesday forced the commencement ceremonies to be held indoors for the Pine Grove Area High School Class of 2014.
"We knew that it may rain," Michael Janicelli, principal of the high school, said after moving the ceremonies from Cardinal Stadium to the auditorium during the rain delay that started about 7:42 p.m. and lasted about 42 minutes.
Still, he said, it was important to attempt to hold an outdoor ceremony because that is what the community deserved.
"It's just the right thing to do to reward everyone with the proper ceremony," he said during the interruption of the service.
During the outdoor portion of the commencement ceremony, salutatorian Jared McCabe talked about life and the future.
"Life if a series of experiences. Each one makes us bigger," he said.
He told the students to use the education gained and time spent at Pine Grove Area High School as the building block to whatever they want their lives to be.
Senior class President Meagan Rittenbaugh reminded graduates to smile.
"Smiling is the best kind of medicine and not to mention it's contagious. You can change the world with just one smile," she said. "... God makes happy endings, so if it's not happy then it's not the end. You're braver than you believe. Smarter then you seem and stronger then you think."
Kelsey Hughes, student council president, said their diploma is a "wonderful tool," but they have to go out and make their lives.
Sierra Brower, representative to the school board, urged graduates to "chill out before you burn out." She said she spent too much time working and not enjoying a social life while in school. She urged graduates to follow their heart and intuition.
Before rain forced the ceremonies indoors, Browers captured the energy and happiness of the moment by taking a selfie with the entire 2014 class.
Valedictorian Joshua Bachert said the graduates got to where they are with help and support from family, friends, teachers and others.
"Life is not something we go through on our own," he said.
He told graduates that "you must be willing to take risks or at least calculated risks."
Bachert also spoke of being willing to admit mistakes, that failure is part of life, and having and pursuing goals is important.
He said, "Accept the fact that you will make mistakes and admit them when you do and learn from them so that you do not make the same mistake again. ... Always continue to strive towards accomplishing your dreams but never forget about those around you, those responsible for helping you and supporting you along the way."
After the rain delay, diplomas were then bestowed starting at 8:55 p.m. In all, 112 graduates received diplomas.
Rachel Fox, 18, of Pine Grove, said the weather and resulting double rainbow made the graduation more noteworthy, and it is one she will not soon forget.