For 80 Panther Valley graduating seniors, last night marked the end of one journey, and the beginning of another.

Zackary Collevechio, 2012 class president shared his mixed emotions with his fellow graduates. "This is a time of feeling elated at the fact of finally ending this step in our life, but also a time of deep sorrow of leaving each other behind," said Collevechio. "There are no words to describe how hard it is to wrap my head around the thought of being done high school forever; even thinking about it now still seems absurd," he added. Collevechio closed by saying, "I am honored to call every one of these students my classmates, and more importantly, my friends."Salutatorian Jacinda Ruzicka took the opportunity to thank parents, families, friends, teachers and coaches who have stood by and encouraged the students throughout their lives. "Without you, our journey would not have been possible," said Ruzicka.She then quoted American playwright, Wendy Wasserstein saying, "Don't live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable." She also challenged her fellow graduates to "be more than just another face in the crowd because life is short and opportunities are rare." She then shared some "words to live by" from Mother Teresa saying, "Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is too precious, do not destroy it. Life is life, fight for it."Valedictorian, Courtney Lazar reflected on the time spent together and referred to her fellow graduates as a "remarkable group of people." "We have learned, loved, gotten into trouble and most of all, matured together," said Lazar. Quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson, Lazar read the class motto: "What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."Lazar reflected on the first time entering high school as freshman and noted at how quickly the years have passed by. In her final words to the forty eighth graduating class of Panther Valley High School, Lazar said, "Let us not forget what we have accomplished together and remember to approach the rest of your life with the same dedication. This day is both an ending and a beginning. Take what you have learned here and carry it with you. Utilize the God-given talents that each of you possess and work to your fullest potential to make a difference in this world."In her address Superintendent Rosemary Porembo spoke of the book "The Butterfly Effect: How Your Life Matters" by Andy Andrews. In the book, the questions the author ponders are "How significant is my life? Do I make a difference? Do I really matter?" She then spoke of Edward Lorenz and his 1963 hypothesis in which he theorized that "a butterfly could flap its wings and send molecules of air in motion which would move other molecules of air and eventually capable of starting a hurricane on the other side of the planet." Lorenz at that time was "laughed out of the conference," said Porembo. 30 years later, the Butterfly Effect was found to be "authentic, accurate and viable," she added. Porembo then related the principles of the Butterfly Effect to the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 when Joshua Chamberlain was charged with preventing the Confederate Army from passing by him. After being shot, out of ammunition and losing all but 80 of his men, Chamberlain made the decision to have his troops fix their bayonets and charge the oncoming Confederates, taking them by surprise and ultimately winning the battle and changing the course of history.Summarizing the point of the examples given Porembo said,"Everyone has a life of purpose." She then quoted Andrews saying "Every single thing you do matters." "The rarities that make you special are no mere accident or a quirk of fate. You have within you the power to change the world," she added. "Your life and what you do with it today, tomorrow matters,forever" said Porembo.Diplomas were conferred by Porembo and Jeff Markovich, president of the school board. It was noted that over $500,000 in scholarships and grants were awarded to Panther Valley graduates.Mrs. Audrey Christ provided musical accompaniment on the piano for the commencement. 2012 class advisors were Rick Morgans and Theresa Zuber.