"So, as we move forward on this journey, strive to make a difference in the world," said Salutatorian Briana O'Donnell during her speech given to fellow Marian graduates during their commencement Saturday morning in the auditorium of the Marian Catholic High School.

She added, "In all of our years of high school, there has been one resounding thing that we have been taught: to be the best version of ourselves and to use our talents and abilities to help make the world a better place.""As we grew up into teenagers and young adults, we were given a taste of freedom, making our own mistakes and having to learn from them, with our elders still always there to guide us back on the path when we strayed," said O'Donnell. "Now, it is our time to take all the lessens we have learned these past four years and put them to good use. It is our time to take everything we have been taught, along with the talents and abilities God has graciously given us, and to go out in this crazy world and make life worth living."During the commencement, Sister M. Bernard Agnes,

I.H.M., school principal, stated her appreciations to all the graduates and support of their families. She added that of the 60 graduates, 46 students (90 percent) will attend a four year college, five will attend community colleges, three will attend a technical or trade school and three will go in the military service. She also stressed that since November 2000, a total of $24,475,174 worth of scholarships has been awarded to Marian graduates.Students recognized for attaining perfect attendance were Emily Burger, Jeanne Cannon, Matthew Greca, Miranda Milillo, Anthony Pilla, Stephen Valente and Marissa Webb. Emily Burger and Miranda Milillo have attained perfect attendance for all four years.Co-Valedictorian Emily Burger stressed during her speech, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world." "In addition to all the math formulas, history lessons and grammar rules that we have learned, the faculty and staff at Marian have taught us even more important lessons about hard work, integrity and faith, said Burger. "Marian has given us a strong foundation so that we can go out into the world to learn new things, to stand up for what we believe in, to get knocked down and to have the strength to rise up again. So I challenge you. When you see something in the world that you don't agree with, that you think is wrong, or when you see something you want to change - change it; because there might not be anyone else brave enough to." Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, Burger said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world.""You'll be like a handprint on my heart", said co-Valedictorian Miranda Milillo during her speech. "And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have re-written mine, by being my friend...," said Milillo. "Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But because I knew you, I have been changed for the good." She ended," When we all go our separate ways and are whisked away somewhere over the rainbow, we need to stop, click our heels together three times, and remember that there's no place like home; and there is no better home than Marian."Rev. Kenneth Medve gave both the invocation and benediction for the commencement. Graduates sang their Alma Mater. Triumphal March from "Aida" was by Giuseppe Verdi.In addition to reading many awards, grants and scholarship recipients, Sister Agnes named the students that have merited the honor of being listed to the principal's Academic Honor List. They were Emmarose Boyle, Emily Burger, Kaysi McLaughlin, Miranda Milillo, Timothy Miller, Briana O'Donnell, Anthony Pilla, Shannon Skotek, Stephen Valente and Kimberly Wilson.O'Donnell said, "It is our time now to go out and ignite, not only the hearts and minds of everyone we meet, but also the world by setting an example with everything that we say and do." Quoting words heard by St. Ignatius of Loyola, O'Donnell ended her speech saying, "Go set the world on fire."