Palmerton Area High School’s Class of 2022 endured its share of storms.

As salutatorian Christopher Walkowiak pointed out, the class prom was set in the middle of a nearly 42-hour-long rainfall. Senior skip day, which included plans for a class outing at Mauch Chunk Lake, was spoiled by storms forecast so severe that Jim Thorpe schools had an early dismissal.

Even Mr. Palmerton, the high school’s male beauty pageant, was stricken by torrential downpours. And, of course, a significant portion of the class’ sophomore and junior years were rained-out, figuratively speaking, in the form of pandemic restrictions.

On arguably their most important night, however, 107 Blue Bombers stood under sunny skies with a near perfect temperature as they received their diplomas Friday during the school’s commencement ceremony.

“We have had an invaluable test in perseverance,” Walkowiak. “We adapted readily as we transitioned to online and hybrid learning and, despite the challenges, we stand here tonight before this crowd.”

The challenges Walkowiak described won’t be the last for the graduates. They’ll be knocked down in the real world and, according to valedictorian Kyle Sebelin, that isn’t a bad thing.

“Along our journey, there will undoubtedly be missteps where we will stumble and fall,” Sebelin said. However, we must not fear failure, as failure is the best teacher. I stand here today and challenge all of you to find that courage to put yourself out there, not worry about failing, and strive to achieve greatness and success in whatever you do.”

Sebelin encouraged his classmates to make people laugh and smile as they go through life. Personal success, he added, is not about accumulating monetary wealth or achieving fame.

“It’s about leaving a positive impact on those around you,” Sebelin said. “Leaving the world and people you come in contact with a little happier and more hopeful than they were before is truly achieving greatness. Just as in school, you will not be remembered by your grade-point average, how many likes you got on your last Instagram post, or any athletic records you may have achieved. Instead, you will be remembered for the type of person you were.”

While many students, Walkowiak included, initially associate commencement with the end of something, it actually signals the opposite.

“Commencement really is a beginning,” Walkowiak said. “Tonight, we celebrate our years spent together and what we have achieved in that time, but above that, we recognize the immense possibilities that lay ahead as we commence our adult lives. What we do from there is up to us.”

High School Principal Paula Husar admitted to being worried about the Class of 2022 given the circumstances they had to deal with over the last four years. She was so concerned she challenged each teacher to mentor two or three students this school year.

“I wanted them to reach out several times during your senior year,” she told students Friday night. “Many of you had been sitting behind computer screens every day for two years as we dealt with the pandemic. You proved me wrong. When you came back, it was like you hadn’t missed a beat and you did amazing things in the classroom, on the stage and on the athletic field.”

Dr. Jodi Frankelli, Palmerton superintendent, encouraged graduates to remember the four P’s; passion, purpose, positivity and pride.

“Passion and purpose go hand in hand,” Frankelli said. “While everything you did here may not have been your favorite, the exposure to a wide variety of experiences at Palmerton is truly what counted. In the end, the goal was to help each of you find your passion in life, which hopefully then provides a sense of purpose as you move forward.”

The Class of 2022, Frankelli added, found the positive in each and every day. As for the last “P,” she urged the graduates to take pride in where they grew up.

“You will always be a member of the Palmerton Area School District family,” she said.

It takes a village, Board President Tammy Recker said, to raise a child. That was on display Friday night, she said, as Palmerton’s stadium was jam packed with different villages hoping to catch a glimpse of the graduation ceremony.

“I paid attention this week,” Recker said. “This has been a hot ticket. To the Class of 2022, you are the reason why people from all walks of life have been showing up and will continue to do so. We are here for you and we are your village.”