TOWER CITY - Williams Valley High School graduating seniors brought their "A" game to the plate Wednesday during the 49th commencement ceremony.
Members of the Class of 2014 highlighted their musical, athletic and academic accomplishments before a packed house of well-wishers in the high school gymnasium.
Senior class President Rachel Ulsh challenged the 66 graduates to "mess up from time to time to humble yourselves." She told them they wouldn't hit a home run every time they got up to bat.
"You all need to be brave enough to just swing," Ulsh said.
Valedictorian Chelsea Marie Ferraro said she wanted her classmates to always be true to themselves and never stop trying. She said there's a difference between knowledge and wisdom, noting that she had accumulated a small amount of wisdom. She quoted Victor Hugo, J.K. Rowling and Walt Disney in her address.
"Just when all seems lost, keep going," she said.
Ferraro thanked her fellow classmates for the memories and the district staff, administration and family members for "pushing us to be our best."
Ferraro, 17, is the daughter of David and Kathy Ferraro, Tower City. She plans to attend Gettysburg College to major in music education and minor in English.
Salutatorian Kelsey Lee Miller, meanwhile, focused on life after high school. She quoted from the Lee Ann Womack song, "I Hope You Dance."
Miller said she wanted her classmates to take chances.
"Never settle for the path of least resistance. Make your own path. Follow your own heart. ... Class of 2014, I hope you dance," she said.
Miller is also National Honor Society president and class treasurer.
Miller, 18, is the daughter of Heidi and Brian Brummett, Muir. She plans to attend Susquehanna University to major in biology/pre-med with a focus in pediatrics.
Superintendent Donald Burkhardt congratulated the class for its successes in athletics and music and called the graduates "proven academic leaders." School Board President Daniel Stroup assisted High School Principal Tracey Weller in distributing diplomas. When it came time for Ferraro to receive hers, her father, board member David Ferraro, presented it to her.
When Jolene Smith, class advisor, introduced student council President Mary Radel, who would offer the closing oration, she noted that Radel was the resident "comedienne."
Radel, who is also class historian, drew laughs from the crowd when she compared her entire "educational journey" to a party. She remarked on the transition from sixth grade in the elementary school to seventh grade in the high school as "they moved the party to a whole new building."
She said during their senior year, it's like the party is winding down.
"No one wants the night to end. It's the 11th hour. Everyone wants one last hug, one last picture. ... The past 13 years have been the best time of my life. I will truly miss all of you," Radel said.
Other Vikings' 2014 class officers are Brendan Miller, vice-president, and Natalie Herb, secretary.
Brendan Miller gathered in the cafeteria prior to commencement with 13 of his classmates who received the Nadine Buggy Miller Scholarship, named in honor of his late mother, Nadine, the former treasurer of the Williams Valley Basketball Boosters, who passed away March 2009.
The $1,000 scholarship recipients are Kylie Doyle, Natalie Herb, Miller, Cassidy Pinchorski, Radel, Ulsh, Cole Barnhardt, Jacob Carl, Tristan Merwine, Jarred Matter, Timothy Schorr and Trevor Whelski. Dustin Recchione received the business award.
"It was great knowing that a bunch of my best friends got it. They do truly deserve the award," he said.
Earlier in the day, the decision was made to move the ceremony from Stauffenburg Field at Viking Stadium in Williamstown to the high school gymnasium in Tower City because of the threat of inclement weather.