The Emmaus High School Class of 2016 graduated June 12 at Stabler Arena.

Receiving their diplomas were 598 graduates amid the usual ceremonies including the singing of “The Star Spangled Banner,” led by the EHS orchestra conducted by Connie Arnold. The EHS Chorale, directed by Rita Cortez, sang the school’s alma mater. The graduates entered to the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Principal David Piperato welcomed everyone including members of the Class of 1966.

Assistant Principal for the Class of 2016 Mark Covelle presented the Academic Hall of Fame inductee. This award was first given in 2007. The recipient has their portrait placed in the library with past recipients.

Covelle said qualities sought in a recipient include scholarship, leadership, service which includes volunteerism and a limitless thirst for knowledge. Katharine Bacher was named the recipient of the 2016 Academic Hall of Fame award. She is a member of National Honor Society, is active in athletics which included involvement on the cross country team and was a 4-year track team member. She was described as genuine, inquisitive, diplomatic and brilliant by her teachers. Bacher has been accepted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology and will study electrical engineering and computer science.

The officers of the Class of 2016 were introduced– Madeline McGeary, president; Joe Albro, vice president; Chloe Lawrence, secretary; Scarlet Narayana, treasurer and Chloe Madtes, historian.

In McGreary’s remarks, she spoke of the fun of being in school and gave meaningful advice. “Failure is a temporary detour. It is inevitable and part of our education. Failure is OK. It just means to practice more. Accept it as a new beginning. The challenge is to fail and not give up.” McGeary gave examples of people who failed and eventually succeeded such as Thomas Edison and Walt Disney. “Embrace your failures as footsteps to success.”

Kevin Lang, a student speaker, spoke about his project on Twitter where he had fellow classmates make compliments. Recently there were 1,000 in a week. “There are hundreds of stories in our class.”

Victoria Reichelderfer spoke about achievement. “Don’t look for success but do what you love.” She quoted Ed Sheerin, the singer, “I can’t tell you the keys to success, but I can tell you the keys to failure.”

The class lost one of its members two weeks ago. Mehdi Jaffer passed away suddenly the day before the prom. There was a moment of silence for him and his name was announced among the graduates.

Sameer Lal spoke about “this being a marvelous day.” He addressed “crying parents, sleepy grandparents and siblings forced to attend.” He addressed the physics teachers, saying, “May the force be with you.” Lal also suggested that “we should always remember to be a child.” This means “to color outside the lines, no sleeping when told and be curious.”

Kyle Moyer, representing Lehigh Career and Technical Institute, spoke about what the diploma means. “What does this paper mean to you?”

Alan Earnshaw, president of the school board, declared the class graduated. The recessional, “Brandenburg Sinfonia,” was played by the orchestra.