The excitement in the air at Stabler Arena was electrifying June 9 as 596 members of the Emmaus High School Class of 2013 entered the room to "Pomp and Circumstance."

After the graduates were in place, the Emmaus High School Orchestra and Chorale led the singing of the national anthem and the alma mater.

EHS Principal David F. Piperato welcomed the graduates, honored guests, families, staff, administrators and school board members to the 123rd commencement ceremony.

He especially thanked parents for the love, support and encouragement provided to the graduates.

Assistant Principal for the Class of 2013 Sally Hanzlik introduced the newest inductee into the Hall of Fame, Daniel Brndjar, noting his many accomplishments during his high school career. The portrait will join the other Hall of Fame members in the high school library.

President of the Class Katherine Thomas was the first student speaker, presenting an uplifting and humorous speech which brought many chuckles and perhaps a few tears when she mentioned two members of the class who had died– Ben Albro and Tyler Stair. "Life is too short," Thomas said. "Do one thing every day that scares you," she said quoting Eleanor Roosevelt.

Piperato then presented a very special diploma to Thomas W. Van Duren, a former Emmaus High School student and a Vietnam veteran who would have graduated with the Class of 1967. Piperato said Operation Recognition is a program authorizing school districts to grant a high school diploma to honorably discharged veterans who served in the United States military during World War II, the Korean Conflict or the Vietnam War. As Van Duren walked across the stage proudly wearing his green and gold, the fellow graduates and audience members who packed Stabler Arena rose in congratulations and appreciation for his service.

Amanda and Kaitlyn Bennicoff, Lehigh Career and Technical Institute representatives, thanked the district for the positive school experience they had and the many opportunities afforded to them through LCTI. Through their experience in the culinary arts and commercial baking programs, they participated in local, state and national competitions and hope to own their own bakery together.

Megan Cichocki, president of National Honor Society, reminded the graduates they boarded a bus 5,024 days ago Sept. 8, 1999 for kindergarten, beginning their school career. "There was no Facebook, Twitter or Snapchat and Google was just emerging," Cichocki said. Borrowing a quote from Steve Jobs, she told the graduates, "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become."

"Lyric Metal," a musical piece written in remembrance of Albro by Brian Balmages, was performed by the orchestra and conducted by Connie Arnold.

Evan Wait, Class of 2013 representative, was the last student to speak and likened life to physics. "In order to move something, you have to do work," Wait said. Talking about the community service the students performed, he reminded the graduates to "remember the lives you touched by moving others and inspiring them." Wait said, "A school without its family is a body at risk. A body in motion stays in motion. This isn't the end." He encouraged everyone to continue the work they started at EHS.

Piperato introduced School Board President Charles H. Ballard who officially declared the students graduates of Emmaus High School.

A resounding applause was heard as the graduates recessed to "Brandenburg Sinfonia" by J.S. Bach to the waiting arms of families and friends.