Often during a high school graduation, speakers talk about heroes from far-away places or long-ago times.

Tamaqua Area High School Class of 2015 valedictorian Rachel Keich said people need look no further than around them, in the auditorium. Class salutatorian is Brianna Wittig."We look outside for heroes, but I see them right here among us," Keich said. "I have seen in my years at Tamaqua high that we do not have to look far for inspiration.""We each have the potential to make an inspiring contribution to others by being true to our values and committing ourselves to admirable goals and dreams," she said. "My advice is to embrace and expand both your humanity and humility, to inspire."During the district's 125th commencement exercises, held Tuesday in the school's auditorium due to rain, 140 students became high school graduates. High School Principal Stephen Toth told the students that graduation was the most profound change in their lives."People often say that change is good and should be embraced," Toth said. "However, when there is change, inevitably, there are also questions who are you, and what will you be?"It is up to you to choose a path that will allow you to move forward and fully answer those two little, but very important questions."Margaret Benny Klimek, Ph.D., a 2001 Tamaqua graduate, was the guest speaker. Klimek is in the midst of a postdoctoral fellowship at Children's National Medical Center, Washington, D.C. She and her husband Bradley, a commander in the United State Coast Guard, have two children, Niko and Alexandra.Klimek, who was a member of the Raider marching band and track teams, said her high school experiences taught her many valuable lessons, such as working as part of a team, and also the importance of friendships."Today, you may be sitting next to someone you have known since kindergarten and you may not be getting ready to go on your own paths," Klimek said. "The friendships here are like no other friendship you will have in your life.""Wherever your path takes you, you will look back on your time here and understand how valuable the relationships are," she said. "You will carry that with you through the next exciting chapter of your life."