On the surface, the diplomas they received may appear to be nothing more than a simple piece of paper.

But, ultimately it stands for everything they’ve accomplished and overcome throughout their high school journeys.

Those were among the thoughts conveyed to graduates of the Northern Lehigh High School Class of 2025 during commencement exercises Friday evening in Bulldog Stadium.

Class of 2025 Salutatorian Seth Schaeffer said it has always been a goal of his to give a speech at graduation.

“I’ve always been in the running for it, and I admit, I wanted it, I wanted it real bad,” Schaeffer said. “So I worked hard for it, maybe I could’ve worked slightly harder. But I worked, and I stressed, and I sacrificed, and I got it.”

But, at one point, Schaeffer said he came to the realization “that in my goal to have this impressive high school resume, I had completely neglected my own well-being, and experiences, and relationships.

Schaeffer then asked his classmates to reflect on something they’ve really strived for and sacrificed for and asked them if it was worth it.

“I hope your answer is yes, but I don’t believe I can say the same,” he said. “After you achieve your goals, you have to make sure all of your sacrifices were worth it, and if you regret what you sacrificed more than appreciate what you got, how can you say it was worth it?”

Schaeffer then implored them to not only chase the big milestones, as the point of life isn’t a big promotion, or a graduation, or a five-minute long speech; the point of life is to live it, which can get lost in the predetermined pathway they have for themselves.

“Drive and goals are good, necessary even, but not at the detriment of losing out on experiencing what’s going on around you,” he said. “Because what would be the point of that, why strive for something when you can’t even look back and remember the road you took to get there?

Schaeffer offered one final thought.

“But in all future endeavors, I do hope you slow down every once in a while, and appreciate how far you’ve come, rather than only looking at how far you have to go,” he said. “Enjoy today, because you earned it.”

Dekota Barthold, senior class president, told her fellow graduates that they received many report cards that showed their improvements and grades throughout their high school career, many accolades that supported them through their difficult times, and acknowledge everyone in their grade that has reached their biggest feat of all: graduation.

“Graduation is what we have been preparing for since we entered kindergarten,” Barthold said. “The goal of graduation: for us to continue in the world and make a difference.”

Barthold admitted there were times when she often wondered why she had to complete high school, as some days and classes she found boring and just wanted to leave and do fun activities instead.

“To this day, I still do not understand some of the material we had to learn,” she said. “I hope that in the future when we have our careers, I will understand.”

While she couldn’t write a speech long enough to tell about all the memories class members had throughout the past four years, Barthold said the memories will be cherished for years to come.

“I will look back in the future on my high school memories and accomplishments and feel proud of what I have done in my high school career,” she said. “I hope every student here today also feels pride in what they have accomplished.”

Class of 2025 Valedictorian Sarah Hanzarik recognized her family, friends, teachers and peers who have encouraged her throughout her school career.

Hanzarik also thanked the faculty, who she said “put so much of their time and effort into helping us every day,” especially Principal Dr. Lori Bali.

“Throughout our four years in high school, we have had a multitude of principals who have come and gone, but none of which you could name just by the clicking of their heels down the hall,” Hanzarik said. “In our last year at Northern Lehigh, you have done so much to make a positive impact on the lives of all the students, and I hope that in the years to come you continue to prosper and positively impact the future minds within our school.”

Hanzarik said that according to numerology, the number 25 symbolizes spiritual insight and harmony; two representing balance and five representing adaptability. And that together, they signify harmony and a milestone within life.

“Within the Bible, the number 25 symbolizes “grace upon grace” composed of five multiplied by five; five representing grace and thus the abundance of God’s grace,” she said. “Spiritually, it is associated as a signal of change, equilibrium and finding new beginnings.”

Hanzarik then quoted Eleanor Roosevelt, who once said, “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.”

“Mistakes are inevitable, but they are our greatest learning tool,” Hanzarik said. “Go out into the world, chase these experiences, and trust that you will grow through all of it.”

Bali, the principal, greeted family members, while student council representative Krista Lynch recognized the Slatington High School Class of 1975 attendees on the 50th year of their graduation.

Assistant Principal Daniel Williams recognized several retirees with many years of experience in the district. Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Link presented the graduation class.

School board President Mathias Green presented the diplomas to the graduates.