Lights were lowered inside Stabler Arena and the familiar music of the procession began as Northwestern Lehigh seniors were ready to become 2014 graduates during their commencement ceremony June 7.

Jennifer Von Holt and Haley Smith presented an a cappella version of the "Star Spangled Banner."

High school Principal Aileen Yadush wecomed everyone to the 57th commencement.

"On behalf of the administration, school board directors and teachers, we welcome you," Yadush said. "We celebrate these remarkable men and women. School has been your home as you travel outside your comfort zone passing on what you have learned to others as we hope we have for you."

Class President Sam Haas said he was standing before his classmates one last time.

"Many of you will be moving from home in the next months but there will still be exciting adventures as employees, soldiers, or at college," Haas said. "I am confident you are all ready to face our future. There were teachers who opened our minds and coaches who helped.

Speaker Amy Lebrecht explained children have an easy life.

"If they paint a picture in kindergarten of a tree, the sun and sky, it does not have to be green, yellow and blue,"Lebrecht said. "If they want a purple tree, that is OK. "There are so many doors open to us. The doors are out there. We just have to find them.

"The key is to be original. If you have new options, you can't be stopped. If you allow yourself to be bold, anything can happen.

"Go out and find what you want. This is my wish for you."

Speaker Justin Sweitzer said they were at a journey's end.

"When you were a child in a huge world, you didn't understand. You make your own world in your imagination. You can imagine a tree as a mast on a ship.

"Excitement will vanquish your troubles and finally you come to the end of the journey.

"We made it through the 13-year journey and are celebrating the accomplishment.

Molly Gallagher said in the future people may not want us to unveil our views, but our teachers embraced our most outlandish ideas.

"The teachers and coaches were by our side through thick and thin," Gallagher said. "We must learn to stand up for what we believe in.

"Galileo said that things that seem improbable are true. For some this confidence has come. For others it will come through exposure of our minds."

Alex Bobbyn said graduation is the end of the beginning.

"People told me 'So it is the end,' but I don't know what that means," he said. "We were in the cafeteria for 360 hours laughing and thinking of things we didn't do. Those hours are 15 days of memories, and throwing our hats in the air will be the end.

"I came to school last summer and it was empty. We students were what gives the school life.

"We create a bond of trust. We prepare ourselves for a journey. We'll take our classes and make careers of them.

Brad Stuby, president of the National Honor Society, and Mallory Brinley, president of the Science National Honor Society, introduced the members of their organizations.

For National Honor Society students need a 93-percent grade with no failing grades and to do community service. For the Science National Honor Society one advance course is required in addition to several level two science courses.

School Board President Darryl Schafer addressed the soon-to-be-graduates.

"We celebrate the gift your parents gave you. Failure will come but you will grow with it.

He gave them five tips for life: keep a perspective, stay curious, always give back, value what is important and stay positive. This diploma may be one part of the rich thing called life.

Kurtis Reif and Jennifer Von Holt sang "Our Time" from "Merrily We Roll Along."

Superintendent Mary Anne Wright thanked the parents for partnering with the school.

"Students, we are proud of what your have achieved," Wright said. "I can only imagine what great things you will do.

She told them their mountain was waiting so they should get on their way.

Turning of the tassels was led by advisors Heidi Taylor and Shay Wagner as they invited Haas on stage for the actual turning. Yadush said the parents' influence is one of the key reasons the graduates are here.

"I feel excitement, joy and melancholy, but also sheer exhaustion," Yadush said. "The tiredness turns into another feeling. Your laughs and smiles and memories make me want to do it again. On behalf of Northwestern I hope all your dreams come true."

Each graduate received a sunflower to match the gold of the Tiger before they left the arena.