FOUNTAIN SPRINGS - Dressed in the school colors, girls in red, boys in blue, the 138 members of the Class of 2012 walked out of the front doors of the North Schuylkill High School for the last time as high school students and proceeded to the Ghosh Ortodontics Field at Spartan Stadium on Thursday evening for their graduation ceremony.
As class valedictorian, Brittany Cutrona echoed the class song, "Here's to the Night" by Eve 6, as she urged her fellow classmates to make one last memory together.
"To the Class of 2012, as we enter this new unknown I can confidently tell you one thing," Cutrona said. "Our future may not be certain, but I will never forget the many memories we have shared regardless of how much time passes. Let us make one last memory together - Here's to the night."
Later in her speech entitled "Prepared for Uncertainty," Cutrona said she can't give advice to her fellow classmates about life after graduation since she has yet to experience it herself, but reminded them that their future is up to them.
"I would like to promise you all a worry-free future filled with prosperity, but I simply can not," Cutrona said. "I can promise you, Class of 2012, that although our future may not be spelled out for us, I know we can handle anything it throws our way ... We have seen and experienced change enough to be more than prepared for what is to come. We are ready to not only experience the future, but to embrace it."
Also addressing their classmates Thursday evening were Jamie Anczarski, salutatorian and student council president; Tim Robbins, senior class president; and Lauren Evanousky, National Honor Society president.
Robbins then passed the mantle to junior class president Matthew Gownley.
Guest speaker for the ceremony was Robert S. Muscalus, D.O., a 1975 graduate of North Schuylkill. Muscalus was a former Pennsylvania physician general, serving during the administration of Gov. Tom Ridge. He is currently the vice president of Clinical Affairs at Novitas Solutions Inc., Camp Hill.
Muscalus said the Class of 2012 is special to him because his oldest daughter will also be graduating high school next week in Hershey.
"Slowly, I am accepting the fact that they also have wings and as hard as it is, we have to find that balance between keeping them close to our hearts while at the same time, being able to let them go," he said.
Muscalus also gave advice to the class by telling them how he defines success.
"Some of the most successful people I have met are not necessarily ones that will be published on the cover of a magazine somewhere," he said. "They are people who are honest, who take pride in their work regardless of their vocation. People who put others before themselves and do their best with what they have without complaining. People who are committed to their families and their communities."
Muscalus then congratulated the class, wished them well in the future and told them to not waste today worrying about tomorrow.
The Rev. Robert Finlin, Roman Catholic Churches of Frackville, provided the invocation for the ceremony. The benediction was provided by Pastor Mark Brownson, Bethany Evangelical Congregational Church of Ashland.
Class advisors are C. Nicholas Brayford and Ty Wartman. The class motto was "Saving the Best for Last." The class flower was the rose and the class colors are maroon and baby blue.
In addition to Robbins, senior class officers are Michael Tophoney, vice president; Robyn Orth, treasurer; Johnna Cappel, secretary; and Sara Isgate, historian.