You are random.

That is what somebody told Owen J. Roberts (OJR) High School valedictorian Alejandro Vidal in the middle of a conversation weeks ago. At first, Vidal didn't think the description fit him.

"For four years, I've had the same routine," Vidal said at the school's 71st annual graduation ceremony, held at the football stadium on June 5. "Wake up with just enough time to get ready ... walk into the same building, sit in the same seats, see the same faces, follow the same bell schedule day after day after day. How was I random?"

Then, he thought about it. Vidal harkened back to receiving an envelope weeks ago, which contained a list of achievements that his eighth-grade self felt he needed to accomplish to be considered a success.

He then spoke of different experiences from his four years of high school, including sneaking into Phoenixville Area High School's senior prom with his older brother as a freshman, being the DJ for a Halloween party at a last-minute notice and going skydiving.

"The person who wrote that letter would have struggled to recognize the person standing here today," said Vidal, who will head to Penn State in the fall to study mechanical engineering.

Vidal challenged his peers to escape their comfort zone and try new things, likening his skydiving experience to the journey of life.

"I want you to board that plane and make that leap, no matter how uncomfortable it feels," he said. "Because sometimes, the most important moments in life happen off-script. When you look back on your life, you'll never regret the opportunities you took advantage of, only the ones you missed."

On a similar note, district superintendent Will Stout gave graduates one simple piece of guidance heading into the next step of their lives: Be curious.

He asked graduates to think critically, to ask questions and to never stop learning. He stated that curiosity is the spark behind every discovery, every innovation and every meaningful relationship.

"Throughout your years at Owen J. Roberts, we have encouraged you to think critically, act compassionately and achieve success," he said. "Our vision at Owen J. Roberts is to be a learning community that embraces a growth mindset, celebrates each person's uniqueness and engages in continuous innovation."

Also at the ceremony, class salutatorian Sohun Bandyopadhyay, executive council president Vansh Agarwal and senior class director Ben Herreda spoke to their peers.

School board president Rita Pederson, who had a graduate of her own, and high school principal Steven Kollar also delivered remarks, with the latter leaving graduates with an encouraging message.

"There is so much talent in this group," Kollar said. "They have had a lasting impact on our school community."