On Tuesday, students of the Carbon Career and Technical Institute in Jim Thorpe officially moved on to the next chapter of their lives, leaving their high school careers behind them.

The 31st annual commencement took place, as family, friends, and CCTI teachers and staff were on hand to witness 91 now former students celebrate their graduating class.

For the first of three student speeches, class president Cameron Bojko reminisced about what it took to complete their high school curriculum.

“This is the day we’ve waited years to see, a day that was so distant but is now finally here. We’re on the cusp of something new — it may be exciting, we may feel a little nervous, but we are certainly more than ready,” Bojko said in his speech.

Bojko discussed how teachers and friends can help students reach the finish line of graduation, making all the hard work worthwhile.

“We’ve experienced our ups and downs, but all the hard work, all the late nights stressing about homework due the next day that we haven’t started yet, and all the memories we will never forget led us to where we are today,” Bojko said.

Class Salutatorian Jalin Burns and Valedictorian Makenna Montefour also gave speeches commemorating the class of 2025. Burns and Montefour discussed what it took to reach the end of their high school career: hard work, friendship, and maybe some caffeine along the way.

Burns said no matter which road students take, “each of you is about to step into a world of endless possibilities.”

Quoting Dr. Seuss “Oh the Places You’ll Go,” Burns said the places “are limited only by the size of your dreams and the strength of your determination.”

Montefour said to fellow graduates, “We made it. We’re not just closing a book — we’re picking up the pen and starting a new one.”

She continued, “And if the new one turns out anything like this one, I think it will be a pretty good read. Messy, fumy, unexpected but full of heart.”

Former principal Michelle Allen added to the advice for graduates. “Embrace your passions, follow your instincts and never lose sight of the dreams that set your soul on fire.”

Instructors and aides from the various CCTI programs handed out diplomas to students of the following courses: auto collision and repair, auto service technology, carpentry, cosmetology, culinary arts, digital marketing, drafting and design technology, electrical distribution and automation, engineering, graphic design, health and medical, HVAC, precision machine, welding, and life skills.

After the diplomas were distributed, came perhaps the most joyous part of graduation: the tassel ceremony. Class officers flipped their tassels to the other side, as is custom for these ceremonies. All students then threw their caps in the air, signifying an end to a significant part of their lives.

To close out the ceremony, CCTI school director David Reinbold officially pronounced the 91 students as graduates, prompting many of those in attendance to cheer loudly.