Dylan Smith, president of the Panther Valley High School class of 2011, encouraged his fellow graduates to "make the most of the time we have on earth and be the best people we can be" during commencement exercises last night.

During his address, he also paid tribute to his friend, Casey Williams, a 2009 Panther Valley graduate who lost his battle with cancer earlier this year."He inadvertently taught me an important life lesson," said Smith. "Do not live with any regrets. If you want something do not sit around and wait for it. Take it."His comments was one of the highlights in last night's graduation, which marked the 47th commencement at the Panther Valley high school.Salutatorian John Owens reflected on those who supported the 94 graduating seniors on their journey."From our parents and grandparents, brothers and sisters, to that favorite teacher or coach, or our colleagues in the classroom; everyone has played a role in shaping us into the young men and women we are now," he said. "To those who have helped bring us to this point, we are forever grateful."Quoting author Joseph Campbell, Owens said, "Opportunities to find deeper powers within ourselves come when life seems most challenging."Owens asked his fellow graduates to "embrace the opportunity which (challenge) provides you."Valedictorian Jason Gates reflected that some life lessons can even be learned through television sitcoms, including classic shows like "Leave it to Beaver," "The Honeymooners," "Cheers," and "Gilligan's Island." Gates used familiar tag lines from a few of the shows, including Jackie Gleason's "One of these days ... pow, right in the kisser," and "Lucy, you've got some 'splainin' to do." He said that through some of these humorous illustrations, we can discover how to deal with frustrations and how to account for one's own actions."Be ready now, so that when your life looks more like "The Golden Girls" than "Happy Days" and that double chin you joke about now is a permanent fixture on your face, you can look at everything that's happened in your life since you have been here, where everyone knows your name, and say that you were ready and that this school and the people sitting around you helped get you there," he said.Superintendent Rosemary Porembo addressed the students, framing her message with the book "The Traveler's Gift: Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success" by Thomas Nelson. Summarizing the trials facing the main character David Ponder.Porembo related how in the face of several unfortunate happenings, Ponder himself ended up in an accident. While he lay unconscious, he was visited by seven historical figures, each of which had a lesson to teach him about how to carry on in the face of adversity.She said Christopher Columbus advised Ponder to "know who you are and what you want."Porembo followed the story through the words of President Harry S. Truman who said "the buck stops here;" King Solomon, who admonished King David to seek wisdom, and chose his friends and mentors wisely; and Joshua Chamberlain, a Union Civil War officer at Gettysburg, who made decisions and acted decisively.In giving the example of how Anne Frank hid in an attic to escape the Nazis in World War 2, Porembo added that happiness and joy are choices that each individual can make. She said Abraham Lincoln illustrated the power of forgiveness."It costs nothing and is worth a million," said Porembo.Finally, the Angel Gabriel was used to illustrate the power of holding fast and staying the course."I challenge you to grasp a future far beyond what you can comprehend," Porembo stated in closing. "Your choices and attitude will make the difference between success and failure."Of the 94 graduates, 71 will be continuing their education at a university, college, business or trade school, eight will be joining a branch of the armed services 15 will be joining the workforce or are undecided.Samantha Andrew and Benonia Bruce performed the Star Spangled Banner and Mrs. Audrey Christ provided the musical accompaniment for the evening. Diplomas were conferred by Porembo and the school board president Jeff Markovich.