During a ceremony beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 147 Tamaqua Area High School seniors made the transition to graduates. Jared Sharpe was valedictorian and Tyler Ruch was salutatorian. Sharpe is headed to the University of Delaware and Ruch to Penn State University.

The class officers for the Class of 2014 were President Damian Munoz, Vice President Rebecca Minehan, secretary Carly Fenstermacher and treasurer Emily Georgis. The class adviser was Roseann Weinrich. The graduation speaker was Janene M. Holter, Senior Supervisory Special Agent for the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General, Bureau of Special Investigations.During the ceremony, Munoz said that in addition to being tested in athletics, academics and the arts, the students were also tested in other ways."We also had tests of our friendships and our character," Munoz said. "We got through it with the support, guidance and unconditional love of our parents, without whom we would not be here."Sharpe also credited the support of his parents, especially his mother, Lisa Sharpe. He said that his mother taught him the most important lesson he's learned so far."She taught me something very important always follow the instructions of a woman," Sharpe said, as the crowd erupted in laughter. "And here I stand today, in one piece."Holter said that the values the students learned as youngsters will help determine their future."The values you've embraced from childhood will determine the choices you make," Holter said.