Joy, sorrow, excitement, uncertainty, pride. Nearly 300 Warwick High School students and those present to support them may have experienced these emotions and more on June 7 when the school held its 68th commencement.

The two-hour event began at 6:30 p.m. at Calvary Church.

"I think commencement is a day that's important for most of our kids," said Warwick High School principal Karen Szobocsan. "Graduation is a celebration, a celebration of all the things they've done to get there. They've done a lot of important things to get to this point, and hard work is the most important thing."

"What (the administration and faculty are) trying to do is highlight graduation in the lens of the student's view," continued Szobocsan, "and make sure it's about their memories."

The evening of graduation began with 45 minutes of mingling, photo taking and socializing. With the high school band playing, the members of the Class of 2024 processed in front of their guests to their seats near the stage.

Following the playing of the national anthem and welcoming remarks from Szobocsan, attendees heard addresses titled "The Unexpected Opportunity" from senior Ava Fackler and "The Muppet Movie" from senior Maggie Turner.

"I would assume you're expecting me to talk about the journey we have taken together to get to this point and reflect on the past," said Fackler. "But I believe our future is more important, so I choose to look ahead. We all have our personal aspirations of what we would like to achieve to fulfill our passions and make us happy. Some of you know exactly your plan to achieve that dream; others may not have such a clear-cut path."

"As you move into the world beyond Lititz, listen to your peers; they all have something to contribute," said Turner. "Even if you don't get along perfectly, you may still benefit from another person's viewpoints and ideas. Surround yourself with people who lift you up. Surround yourself with people who make your life infinitely better. Surround yourself with people who bring out the absolute best in you and bring new thoughts and new perspectives."

At the ceremony, the school also recognized the top 10% of the class, the senior members of the National Honor Society, seniors committed to the military, district staff members and employees, valedictorian Aiden Troop and salutatorian Yeana Kim.

A performance of "You Do Not Walk Alone" by the senior members of the concert choir preceded remarks from school board president Emily Zimmerman and outgoing superintendent April Hershey.

Hershey, Szobocsan and the class officers then granted diplomas to each member of the Class of 2024. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a voiceover video recording of senior memories by class president Payton Gooding and the high school band's rendition of the Warwick alma mater.

"Before the procession, the mood is light-hearted," said Szobocsan. "When we line up and I say, 'Enjoy this,' I think some of the reality sets in. (The students) are going to have a new life. I think that's when the nervousness sets in, the unknown. I think for some of them for the first time, gratefulness sets in. I get more hugs that day than any other day of the year."

"I think for the staff, pride is the number one feeling for sure," she added. "As each kid's name is read, it evokes memories of the personal relationships that have been built over the last four years."

It's those relationships, combined with the hard work, that have prepared members of Warwick's Class of 2024 for anything that the real world throws at them.

"I'm positive they're going to do positive things," Szobocsan said, adding, "I want them to realize how bright their futures are."