Jim Thorpe Area High School Valedictorian Debbie Loyd warned her classmates that her valedictory speech would be a lot like high school.

“It will be awkward, it might make you cringe, but time will fly by and it’ll be over before you know it,” Loyd told the audience at Wednesday’s graduation ceremony.

Just like high school, her speech and the entire ceremony brought lots of laughs and a few tears along the way.

The 135 students of Jim Thorpe’s class of 2019 received their diplomas during commencement exercises in the high school gym Wednesday night. Loyd was named valedictorian and Natalie Terpstra was salutatorian.

For the first time, family and friends were able to watch the ceremony through an online broadcast which was produced by students.

In his address to the class, Principal Tom Lesisko talked about the myths and stereotypes surrounding Generation Z. Experts say they’re social media addicted, have short concentration spans, and can’t talk to each other face to face. But he said the Jim Thorpe Class of 2019 has the power to dispel those myths.

“They don’t boast, they don’t brag, they’re very respectful and we appreciate that,” Lesisko said.

The students showed that humility throughout the ceremony. Not only did they present awards to Lesisko and their class advisers — Suzanne Milkowich and Ronald Ellison — they also honored two longtime teachers who are retiring. Michael Spirk and Trudy Miller each received a personalized planter with flowers from the students.

During the ceremony some graduates joined in with the high school chorus to sing “This is Me” and the Alma Mater.

One of the emotional peaks of the night came when Korben Kane, who was severely injured in a 2015 car crash, accepted his diploma.

Loyd said her classmates in the class of 2019 are an impressive bunch.

She pointed out how her classmates achieved state honors in track and field, science, chess, powerlifting, and basketball.

The class of 2019 were offered $4.5 million in scholarships.

“As a class we have proved to be intelligent, resourceful, and successful,” she said. But she said even more success awaits them. Loyd encouraged them to use what they’ve accomplished in high school to motivate them to achieve even more. And of course, to treat every failure as a lesson learned.

“No matter what you aim to do, do it with passion, happiness, and determination. Love what you do and keep doing it,” she said.

New superintendent John Rushefski handed out diplomas. In brief remarks he urged them to say thank you to family, friends and teachers.

“You’ve completed the program of study. You are prepared and ready to represent Jim Thorpe proudly,” he said.

Class President Nathan Rosahac used the words of the wise philosopher Bugs Bunny: “Don’t take life too seriously. You’ll never get out of it alive.”

Rosahac said the words carry a serious message — about enjoying what we have instead of being stressed all the time.

“I would like to encourage everybody to replace this wasted time of stressing out over insignificant events with happiness and laughter to share,” Rosahac said.

Salutatorian Natalie Terpstra used her speech to thank the people who impacted the graduates’ lives on a daily basis — their teachers, friends, and family members.

She said the teachers helped them find their path in life, making sure the students understood their lessons no matter how frustrated or confused the students got.

Terpstra said that friends helped them find their confidence and personality.

She got emotional as she thanked family members for being supportive, understanding, and inspirational.

“All I’ve ever wanted to do was to make you proud, and I hope standing here today I have done that,” she said.