For Columbia High School's Class of 2021, Miley Cyrus' "The Climb" served as the perfect choice for class song, said class president Emma Grove.

"We felt that the lyrics of this song represent the journey we've been through the last 13 years," she said, speaking at the graduation ceremony on June 4. She added that the lyrics "I can almost see it, that dream I'm dreaming" spoke to her and her career goals, which include becoming a pediatric emergency physician. "Throughout high school, we have faced a lot of adversity," she said. "But we are strong. We are from Columbia."

Grove, one of 68 students who participated in the ceremony held in the school's auditorium, also spoke about the importance of mental health. She quoted the song's lyrics "The struggles I'm facing, the chances I'm taking, sometimes might knock me down, but no, I'm not breaking." "I was knocked down a lot," she said. "There were many nights I laid awake, crying, hoping I was good enough. Hoping I would be able to make it to the next mountain." She said she often worried she would break before being diagnosed with depression and anxiety. "There is a stigma around mental health," she told the audience. "I was worried I would be viewed as weak. ... I am and always will be Emma Grove. A diagnosis does not define you. ... The struggles we face do not define us."

Breanna Murphy, class valedictorian, said one line in particular from "The Climb" stood out to her: "Lost with no direction, my faith is shaking." She noted that she lost her grandmother this past year and that she relied on her faith to get her through a tough year. "As we end the climb up one mountain, there will be another mountain to climb on the other side," she stated. "No matter your plans - college, gap year, workforce or the military - we did this. We climbed the past 13 years to get on this stage."

Salutatorian Tanner Ness spoke about the uncertainty of the future and all of the unanswered questions in his life. "It is not the start or the end, but our journey through life that really matters," he said. "Our journey is what we should all care about. We should hold on to our memories, the good, the bad and the sad."

Superintendent Ashley Rizzo addressed the Class of 2021 and noted specific achievements of its members, including the boys' basketball team's section championship for the second year in a row. "You, the Class of 2021, rose above the challenges and persevered," she said.

Principal Robert Kedney reminded the class that the challenges of the past year only helped to make the students stronger. "You have overcome a tremendous amount of adversity to get to this point," he stated. "Every experience in life is a chance for you to learn and grow."