In the days and months after high school graduation, the balancing act between old and new acquaintances can be a tricky one.

While it can be tempting to let lifelong relationships fade, Elise Nicole Johnston encouraged her Lehighton Area High School classmates to fight that urge Friday night during the 132nd commencement ceremony."Throughout our adolescence, our peers and elders have continuously assisted in our growth, and to block those moments from our memories is disheartening," said Johnston, Lehighton's Class of 2017 valedictorian. "Let us cherish our backgrounds and the progression from youth to childhood, and honor those who have brought us to this point. Never burn bridges with your peers and superiors, for you never know when you will once again need their graciousness in your upcoming endeavors."Under sunny skies in the district's athletic stadium, 146 students received their diploma and welcomed back the Class of 1967, which is celebrating its 50th graduation anniversary."This is only the beginning of your future," Wayne Nothstein, member of the Class of 1967, told the graduates. "The decisions you make today, good or bad, will affect the rest of your life."Salutatorian Tia Brownmiller called the night a new beginning, but far from the end of each graduate's life journey.Life is a book, she said, with high school serving as the first main chapter."The truly beautiful aspect is that we are the authors," Brownmiller said."Every single one of us. And we control how our book ends. Each of our stories will be different, but that doesn't mean one is better or more successful than another. The only person in life who can measure your success is you."In his welcome speech, Class President Tyler Dietz asked each of his classmates to meet life's challenges straight on with their heads held high and hearts wide open."It's not enough to simply try to get by in life," Dietz said. "That doesn't move the world forward. You must try to excel in everything you do. Strive for excellence in every task, large or small. Although it may not be easy to see, every accomplishment you achieve is added to the world's accomplishments."Watching a class transition from freshmen to dawning cap and gowns always yields a sense of pride, Principal Craig Reichl told the graduates.He used words like selfless, caring and insightful to describe the men and women walking across the stage."The world is not perfect," Reichl said. "It has flaws that need to be addressed by leaders, visionaries, people that care about the future. This is your time to take the virtues you demonstrated to us and lead by example. There is no doubt you will make us proud."The theme of "Tribe Pride" ran deep during Friday's commencement speeches.Johnston credited the class with possessing school pride and a passion for its endeavors, "two qualities no other school can match.""The years will pass, but Tribe Pride never fades," she said. "That aspect of our alma mater will carry us through the difficulties of occupations, co-workers and our future families.Each graduate received a letter from one staff member placed under their chairs before the ceremony.Graduates departed the stadium as their class song, "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day blared through the loudspeakers."Do something worth writing about," Brownmiller said in her lasting message to classmates, "because remember you're only done with chapter one."