Despite the challenges of the past year, the Donegal High School Class of 2021 has stayed strong, said class president Myra Naqvi at the school's ceremony on June 5. "Though our community has faced great adversity during this time, we have been able to learn so much about ourselves and our friends and family and the world around us," she told her fellow graduates. "During a time of great social and political divide in our nation, the Donegal community has consistently remained together, apart."

The ceremony, held at the school's football stadium, featured music from members of the band, the class song from senior chorus members and the singing of the national anthem by senior Ricky Fitts.

Valedictorian Amanda Fry spoke of the hero's journey and how it emphasizes ending the story a better person than you entered it. She spoke about the years the students experienced, from kindergarten through high school, and noted that graduation marks both an end and a new beginning. "We have conquered every grade and defeated every test to finally be rewarded with diplomas," she said. "A hero's journey is cyclical. We end one journey only to begin the next. ... You are a hero. You made it. You have slayed the dragon and are being rightfully recognized for doing so."

Salutatorian Rachel Fernald spoke about the baton passed between senior speakers and all it represents. "The baton I'm holding ... speaks to the importance of putting forth your best effort. In whatever you do, give it your all," she stated. "No one can ask for any more or any less than that. ... God has given each of us a special combination of abilities. He is the one who truly deserves the credit for what makes each of us unique." She also encouraged her peers to not just focus on their strengths, but to also embrace their weaknesses, noting, "We must approach our weaknesses as opportunities for growth."

Additional speakers included superintendent J. Michael Lausch and school board president Oliver Overlander III, whose son was among the graduates. "Being a student and a graduate of Donegal is a special honor to have," Overlander stated. "Donegal is a family. We are one tribe."

Principal John Haldeman told the graduates that every one of them will one day have a biography written about them. "It's called an obituary," he remarked. "It's a person's life summarized into a few paragraphs." He presented a series of goals for their future, including making a daily list of tasks to accomplish, never ceasing to learn and realizing that it's OK to make mistakes. He also urged the graduates to think about their own biographies as they leave their years at Donegal behind them. "We should all think about this," he said. "What type of impression do you want to leave?"