Friends and family filled almost every inch of Penn's Peak Wednesday night for the graduation of Palmerton Area High School's Class of 2016.

The class of 112 graduates processed into the concert hall, up the center aisle and onto the stage. The young men sat on the left, while the young ladies holding pink roses took their seats on the right.Following the school choir, the president for the Class of 2016 Devon Santos welcomed everyone to the graduation ceremony and introduced salutatorian Gavin Scott.Scott spoke about the challenges they have overcome as students - finals, research papers and the uncertainties of what their next steps would be."Sure you might forget how to spot a dangling modifier or solve a quadratic formula, but that's not important," he said with a smile and a glance toward the teachers. "What's important is that you learned how to learn."He summed up his speech by saying, "Whatever your dreams are you must strive to achieve them. Now go and write the next chapter of your life."The valedictorian Brock Moyer took a humorous approach to his speech. Although possibly joking, he said he considered not attending his graduation ceremony. He didn't want to listen to a boring speech by a nerd."Last week, I was informed I was that nerd," he said.In preparation for making a speech, Moyer said he Googled the best valedictorian speeches out there, but they all sounded the same. "Believe in yourself … and gum on the street isn't free candy," he said.Then last weekend as he helped with the Crusaders for a Cause Spring Carnival in Palmerton, he had an idea.A tortoise named Pokey was at the booth. Pokey was kept in a cage and "could only eat grass given to him," Moyer said. Later in the day, the owner let Pokey out of his cage for a bit of freedom."Like any free creature, he went straight for the taco tent," Moyer said. "Just like Pokey, we are free of high school."He admitted the uncertainties of how life will turn out are scary."If college doesn't work out, I'm probably going to take up camping," he said as the audience laughed.He closed by saying, "When times are tough, look toward your loved ones. And when times are good, turn toward them. They make life worth living."Principal Paula Husar told the graduates they are "simply unique," and add spice and color to the world. "That's a good thing," she said.Husar also lauded the students' persistence in asking why."Don't ever stop doing this," she said. "If anyone asks you to stop, you ask why."Superintendent Scot Engler congratulated the class and said they made their accomplishments with poise and dignity.School board President Tammy Recker spoke to the pending graduates.Recker said she heard the song "I Lived" by One Republic on the radio that morning. It was the same song the choir sang at the opening of the graduation ceremony. She said the song "delivers a message of hope, support, guidance and unconditional love by those who love you."Then Recker sprung an idea on the audience - their participation.Recker asked all of the parents of the Class of 2016 to stand up.Then she asked the grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters and brothers to stand up. Her list continued with teachers, coaches, friends and all of those who have thought about the class or offered up a prayer for them.She turned to students dressed in white and royal blue caps and gowns and said, "Class of 2016, let me present to you your very own standing ovation."Students and audience, alike, applauded for one another.