Heat Didn't Stifle Excitement At Neshaminy Graduation

High heat and humidity did not stop friends and family from filling the school’s football stadium for the 116th annual commencement ceremony Wednesday evening.

After four years of hard work, graduation day arrived for the 762 seniors of Neshaminy High School.

Excitement was in the air, from the smiles on the students faces as they walked to their seats, to the beach balls that were batted by the class during speeches and the unauthorized volley of fireworks in the middle of the ceremony.

“You have made it this far and yet you have more future than you do a past. YOU have the power over your own destiny," Valedictorian Daniel Coleman told his peers.

Coleman along with other student speakers told tales of the lessons they learned during their school careers and thanked friends, family and their instructors.

“Though your graduation marks the end of your high school experience, it is just the beginning of a much longer journey; a much more important journey,” said Principal Robert McGee.

“Continue this journey; pursue your goals; pursue your dreams; pursue your passions; and along the way, use your talents to help make the world a better place for yourself and others,” he said.

One of the schools salutatorians, Hannah Kim, told the crowd that graduation meant they all had to move forward into the real world filled with “independence and responsibility.”

During the ceremony those in the stands used the graduation programs as hand-held fans. Several attendees were treated by EMTs for heat related illnesses, a school official said.

The ceremony marked the closing of one chapter for the students and the beginning of a new one.

Some quick stats:

The Class of 2011 is made up of 762 students.

 Approximately 90 percent are moving on to high education.

Valedictorian: Daniel Coleman

Salutatorians: Hannah Kim and Chad Stein