"Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith and your purity."

Those were the key words given by valedictorian Victoria Vadyak during her speech.Hundreds of family members and guests filled the Marian Catholic High School's gym during the graduation commencement exercises held Saturday morning for the class of 2011.It was hard to see a dry eye as Sister M. Bernard Agnes,

I.H.M., principal, pointed out the many memories and joint accomplishments with the students. Sister Agnes stated that 99 percent of the 83 graduates will be furthering their education at universities, community colleges or trade schools, pointing out 68 students will attend a four-year college, 12 students will attend a community college, two students will attend technical or trade schools and one will go into a working career. She also mentioned that the class has received about $1.8 million, of the $2.45 million offered, in scholarships and grants.Salutatorian Rosey Sheridan quoted "Happiness in never grand", a quote taken from Aldous Huxley's novel 'Brave new World'. She continued by stating, "Many of us have waited years for this day - the day when we finally become empowered, independent, strong-willed individuals who, at last, will receive the freedom we long for - a day of happiness", adding, "Yet when we look back on the years we spent within these walls, this day of grandeur is not what we will remember as a time when we were truly happy." She ended with, "Today, we are not only graduating, but also standing at a crossroads in our lives, where the old and familiar paths meet new and untraveled ground. May we come to appreciate every step that brought us here and the people who walked with and guided us along the way."During the commencement, students were also recognized for perfect attendance for the 2010-2011 school year. They were Dylan Baranowsky, Laura Cinicola, Gino Kociolek, Holly Massar, Joseph Meier, Zachary Petrole, Mingjie Xu and Sean M. Crosby, who was also the sole student who attained perfect attendance during all four years.More than a hundred graduation awards, scholarships and grants were also presented by Sister Agnes and Justen Hackenberg, Director of Student Services, during the ceremony. Vadyak told her class, "Today is filled with both anticipation and sadness, but we must not let our fears stop us from accomplishing remarkable things; instead, we must look back at other uncertain situations that lead to beautiful memories, and instead of dwelling on the past four years, we must focus on the memories that last forever and the friends who helped us get by."