Nothing can hold back the human spirit.

Just like graduates across the country, Palmerton Area High School's Emily Brong has set goals for herself, has dreams and is excited about her future. And like other young people, her cellphone and tablet were close by during the interview, both of which she could use with ease quicker than most "grown-ups."The thing is the tablet is used to help Brong communicate, not just for entertainment.A crash two years ago left her critically injured and wheelchair bound.Speech is difficult, but she speaks with joy. When speech is too difficult, Brong turns to the tablet and taps out with her right hand what is running through her mind. Her left hand still needs more physical therapy."To be independent," Brong said, is her greatest goal.On May 25, Brong stood up out of that wheelchair, and with some help from two physical therapists, walked a few steps forward to receive her diploma."I have been working really hard, but I did it," she said with a beaming smile."I was the first person to graduate from the Class of 2016."The crowd cheered for Brong as they watched her reach one of her goals."It was awesome," said Melissa Melville, one of Brong's nurses."There were a lot of tears. Poppy (Brong's grandfather) was crying. I thought we were going to have to get the bucket out to catch them."As soon as Brong got her diploma, she raised it in the air and shook it in a stance of victory. She said she was thinking, "Wahoo, I did it. It's about time, on to better things.""We knew she could do it, because we knew how determined she was to do it," Melville said.Brong said her physical therapists were nervous about her wanting to walk at her graduation. She was a little nervous, too.At rehabilitation, only the therapists are there to see how she does, Brong said.At graduation, there was a crowd of people.She goes to physical therapy at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Center in Palmerton."They push me and I push myself," Brong said. "I have my goal to look forward to in the future.""She makes those little steps and they're amazing," Melville said. "Things she never thought she'd be able to do, she can."In therapy, Brong has walked 30 feet.Throughout the summer, Brong will continue to get tutoring to keep her academically up to speed, and then she will attend life skills classes at the Carbon Career & Technical Institute.She is also going to work at a day care in Palmerton. This was something Brong had intended to do before the crash. She had already gotten her background checks done and went to first-aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training."I love playing and watching kids," she said. "They are pretty cute."Brong said she can't believe high school is over. She's going to miss her friends there."I will not miss having math class," she said. "I hate math."Her dream is to travel to Holland to visit one of her former nurses who lives there now. She looks forward to the day when she can walk off the airplane and see her again."She has the determination, and the willpower, and the strength to do it," Melville said.