Fifty years have passed since the first graduation class at Salisbury High School marched down the aisle to the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance."

The faces have changed over the years, but some of the names are still called as the class lines up to receive that coveted diploma.

Children and grandchildren of that first class have made the same journey as the generations roll on for families who have lived in Salisbury Township for decades.

Members of that 1964 graduating class were on hand as honored guests, and were asked to stand and be recognized at the beginning of the June 11 ceremonies at Allentown's Symphony Hall as 131 more seniors joined the ranks of Salisbury High School alumni.

The theme from administrators in their homage to the students was the Class of 2014 was one of extraordinary accomplishment.

School Superintendent Michael Roth said this year's class "has made an indelible impression on me."

School board President Russell Giordano described this year's crop of graduates as a "winning class" and enumerated many accomplishments in the school and in the community to back up his words.

Class Vice President Alexandria Hollkamp spoke of the lessons learned from trial and error, of victories and mistakes which had shaped her and her classmates. "Freedom without the opportunity to make mistakes is not freedom worth having," Hollkamp said.

Hollkamp challenged her classmates to step up and dream big dreams and "do not fear making mistakes."

Class Salutatorian Ian Carey told of the lessons of life's realities. "The reality of the last four years has taught us very much, and each moment and each memory has shaped us to be what we are."

Carey thanked his fellow students for "sharing in the reality of my last four years."

Luke Chassard, valedictorian of the Class of 2014, and class president, began his commencement address by telling his audience to "never underestimate the power of a smile."

Chassard's proclamation, though, covered so much more than the benefits of a cheerful attitude. His speech demonstrated the power of faith, friends and the courage to persevere in the face of unimaginable grief.

Chassard spoke of the unexpected death of his mother in the spring of 2013. That day, Chassard said, contained the seeds of the worst day of his life and the opportunity to experience the best of his family, friends and classmates who rallied to his side to help carry him through hard times.

"The hugs of my friends and classmates, the smiles of fellow students as we passed in the hallways between classes, an unspoken nod," along with the "constant presence of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," help me to persevere and be able to stand here before you today," Chassard testified.

Through tears and smiles at the courage Chassard demonstrated, the audience in Symphony Hall rose as one in a standing ovation for Chassard's valedictory.

One by one, class members stepped forward and were recognized for scholastic, athletic and community achievements with certificates, statuettes and scholarship checks.

Then, when all the diplomas had been awarded, the tassels turned, and the miter board caps thrown into the air in celebration, the graduates joined friends and family along the Arts Walk adjacent to the Symphony Hall, for handshakes, hugs, bouquets of flowers and light refreshments under a tent erected in a grassy area behind the venue.

Only after most of the celebrants had left to continue their revelry elsewhere did the threatening weather let loose with the forecasted rainfall.

But, it did not matter, the Class of 2014 had commenced the next steps of their lives after high school.