The exceptional.

That is what the 143 members of the Northern Lehigh High School Class of 2016 were billed as during commencement exercises held at Bulldog Stadium on Friday.High school Principal Robert Vlasaty welcomed those in attendance and told the graduates he hopes that what they learned inside the school halls will serve them well in their future.Class President Gavin Kemery lauded the graduating class and said, "Northern Lehigh doesn't just produce average students.""When you look at this group of Northern Lehigh's finest, you'll notice that they aren't just your regular graduates," Kemery said. "This group is the exceptional."Class salutatorian Meghan Miller-Brown asked her fellow graduates how many of them ever asked themselves, "What if?"Miller-Brown said that just less than two years ago, her mom took her to New York City to see a Broadway musical called "If/Then."She said that when she left the musical, her outlook on life was totally different."Once every day, your life starts again. No one can say just how or just when. Somehow the world turns inside out and then, what if you wonder what if?"Miller-Brown said "If/Then" "explores this question that puzzles us all.""Some ask themselves multiple times in a day, some rarely ask, and some have probably never even thought about it," Miller-Brown said. "But it is an interesting question if you really think about it: What if?"Miller-Brown implored the students to savor every moment, and remember, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.""Everyone has probably heard at least a hundred times that life is short," she said. "I think our class probably can relate to that more than others."In the event students find themselves asking "What if?" Miller-Brown told them "Life is right in front of your eyes. Take full advantage of every moment. Seize the opportunities that lie ahead of you.""Don't dwell on the 'What ifs'; they take too much time away from you," she said. "Author and speaker Steve Maraboli perfectly sums it up: "At the end of the day, let there be no excuses, no explanations, no regrets."Class valedictorian Ashton Bevans said that as he was pondering his options of what to speak about, he remembered something that a teacher said along the lines of being lucky is simply being ready to take advantage of your opportunities, and some people just get more opportunities."After I thought about this idea for some time, it occurred to me that I am rather lucky," Bevans said. "The reason why I am standing here, giving this speech, is because I took advantage of a unique opportunity - to graduate a whole year early."Faculty member Jonathan DeFrain recognized the Slatington High School Class of 1966 attendees who were on hand to celebrate their 50th anniversary.Vlasaty recognized several retirees with many years of experience to the district.Superintendent Michael Michaels said this particular graduating class has been "outstanding," and that it is a sad day for the district to have to say goodbye to such fine young men and women.Afterward, Vlasaty recognized the high school senior award winners and thanked all those within the district who made graduation possible.School board President Edward Hartman then presented the diplomas to the graduates.