MOUNT CARMEL - When looking for inspiration for her valedictory speech, Christine Mrozek turned to duct tape.
Standing Thursday night before her fellow graduates, school officials and a packed Mount Carmel Area High School gymnasium, Mrozek said a roll of duct tape can be just like life because it comes in so many different varieties and colors, and has two sides.
"The smooth side lets everything slide by and the sticky side attaches onto just about everything," Mrozek said. "In our lives, this is like our free will. You have the opportunity to let your mind remain rolled away, or you could expose the sticky side of your brain and open yourself to the possibility of experiencing or learning something. After all, knowledge is power."
Another duct tape lesson Mrozek relayed to the class is to give in order to receive.
"You experience nothing worthwhile if you only think of yourself. However, by taking the time to be involved with others, a piece of you will remain with them and you will be attached to them as well. While not all bonds last forever, you will find that if you truly put forth the effort, you can create a connection that will withstand the test of time," she said.
In her welcoming address, senior class President Brigid Demko inspired her fellow graduates by reading a quote from the movie "Rocky Balboa."
In the first part of the quote, Rocky called the world a mean and nasty place that would beat a man to his knees and keep him there if he let it.
But Demko focused on the hope portrayed in the last part.
"'You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it isn't how hard you hit, it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done, Now, if you know what you're worth, then go out and get what you're worth. But you've got to be willing to take the hit,'" Demko quoted.
Admitting she is scared about this time in her life, Demko said one thought comforts her - home.
"Mount Carmel will always be here for me. It isn't going anywhere, and any time for the rest of my life I need to feel welcome or need to just be encompassed by a sense of home, this town is just a car, bus, train or plane ride away," she said.
Home was the theme relayed to the graduates by Gregory Doviak, a 1967 graduate of Mount Carmel Area who went on to great heights on the football field - he was the first quarterback in Pennsylvania high school history to rush more than 1,000 yards and pass more than 1,500 yards in a season - and in the classroom, serving as principal for Lower Moreland High School and mentored new principals in retirement.
"There will be many that will leave this area, but whether you take the road less-traveled or well-traveled, have all of your hopes and dreams in place before you go," he said. "Whatever path you choose, make sure you have respect for yourself, sensitivity for others and the personality that reflects the values that you have been taught here in Mount Carmel."
Salutorian Kelsey Kraynak used part of her speech to praise her fellow classmates.
"There is so much potential in this gym right now, it's almost overwhelming. I look out right now and see all-star athletes. I see five-star musicians and actors. I see the elite of intelligence. I see people who are dedicated, talented and passionate about their goals," Kraynak said.
She ended her address with words of thanks for her classmates.
"Thank you for making the past four years unforgettable. I wish you the best of luck in the future, whatever path you are choosing to follow," she said.
The 137 students earning diplomas at Thursday's ceremony were Hasan Abuomar, Brandon Alderson, Samantha Allen, Matthew Altomare, Rachel Amarose, Paul Artman, John Ballinger Jr., Nicholas Barr, Brittany Bartol, Brooke Bartol, Jesse Barwicki, Mariah Beaver, James Becker, Kelsey Bennett, Robert Bergeron Jr., Danielle Bernini, Amy Besser, John Boonstra, Erin Bowers, David Bozza Jr., Tiffany Bray, Kayla Bressi, Kyle Brown, Dylan Cavada, Karissa Cichon, Solana Cruz, John Curley, Joseph Currie, Joseph D'Andrea, Melissa Daywalt, Brigid Demko, Joseph Derr and Sabrina Dillon.
Andrew Dormer, Timothy Duceman, Bryonna Dusendschine, Nicholas Dusendschine, Jacquelyn Eckley, Stephanie Evans, Matthew Fletcher, Rachel Fletcher, Frederick Fruet, Diane Gidaro, Abbi Grabowski, Nikolas Gratti, Bridget Greco, Leah Green, Grayce Griffiths, Jacob Guss, Eric Halcovich, Samantha Harper, Brieanna Hine, Nathan Hinkle, Shaun Holmes, Jacob Horan, Dylan Hornberger, David Horsfield, Nicole Horsfield, Felicia Hughes, Kaitlynn Hughes, Andrew J. Huhn, Amanda Hurlburt, Chelsea James, Sarah James, Shelby Jeffrey and Sara Johnson.
Samantha Joseph, Ian Kanezo, Nicholas Karlaza, Tyler Karycki, Kristen Klusman, Tianna Kobilis, James Kofskie, Ashley Koschoff, Brett Krah, Devon Krah, Kelsey Kraynak, Shawna Kuzma, Eric L. Leonowicz, Shaine Mychal Lepley, Tyler Leschinsky, Brittany Maclaren, Cassandra Mace, Joshua Maloney, Hollie C. McAndrew, Michael McAndrew, Andrew Megosh, Aaron Melfi, Kathleen Merena, Cody Minnig, Mark Minnig, Christopher Monahan, Christine Mrozek, Tiffany Mulvehill, Cassandra Niglio, Corey Nolter, Hoyt Norris, Alyssa Palewicz, Jared Pollack, Carissa Pupo and Tara Reed.
Kendra Reppert, Jeremy Sala, Brian Santelli, Allison Sarisky, Elizabeth Sassani, Andrea Joan Sentkoski, Matthew D. Shearn, Justin M. Shoppy, Robert Shustack, Cara Sinopoli, David Slotterback Jr., Paul Snyder, Teresa Snyder, Katherine Sowa, Samantha Spieller, Sage A. Stablewski, Joseph Staskiel, Edward Stewart, Michael James Stutzcavage, Joseph Anthony Swatsky, Jonathan Thomas, Ryan Tloczynski, James Tomedi, Tirus Twyne, Jacob Vellner, Brett Venna, Bridget Wagner, Nathan Wagner, Dominic Weikel, Sabrina Wills, Raymond Wywadis III, Brittany Yeager, Ashley Yorks, Cassandra Zarick and Richard Zigarski.