As members of the senior class congregated at Stabler Arena for one last time before receiving their diplomas, the chatter reflected a variety of feelings.

"This place [NWL] is all I've ever known," Morgan Klotz said. "I'm scared to leave but I'm excited to be on my own and not so dependent on my parents."

Klotz is headed for Bloomsburg University where she will pursue a degree in elementary education.

Emotions ran high as the seniors adjusted their tassels in the warm corridor where they waited for the signal to enter the arena proper.

"I'm regretful I didn't bring a lot of tissues," Courtney Sink said. "I've been with these people from the first and now I have to take leave of them."

Sink is bound for Temple University.

Ambivalence seemed to be the watchword for most of the students.

"I feel it's a bittersweet day," said Alex Bobbyn, who will be studying communications and broadcasting at Penn State. "I feel so excited and at the same time a little bit sad that our high school years are ending but excited that we will make new memories."

Bobbyn, who spent a good part of his high school years on the Northwestern stage went on to share his future plans.

"I've decided I've got to use my voice. It's my God-given gift," Bobbyn said. "I want to get into television. My goal is to do that."

On a lighter note, fellow football player Mackenzie Storm quipped, "I feel I should have asked for a bigger [graduation] cap."

Then, he reflected on the past.

"My strongest memories are of my football team," Storm said. "I'll never forget those guys. We were all champions."

Storm is headed for Kutztown University, where he will continue to play football, major in chemistry and join ROTC.

ROTC is also in Heather Berrier's future. Joining the military has been a long-held dream for her and she has already started her service.

"I leave for basic training at Fort Sill in Oklahoma on July 14," she said.

In August, Berrier begins AIT, intelligence analysis. She will return to study criminal justice at Kutztown University in February.

ROTC beckons Mallory Brinley, as well.

She was "feeling a little bit nostalgic but mostly excited."

"I'm ready to start the next chapter of my life," Brinley said. "It's really a huge start."

That chapter will begin at Tulane University where she plans on studying economics and statistics.

Cheyenne Boyer, who will be serving in another capacity, was a bit more subdued.

"I've been accepted into the Americorps program," she said.

Boyer originally wanted to volunteer abroad but when she found out about Americorps she was excited to "be a part of National Civilian Community Corps, a program dating back to the President Bill Clinton administration."

Morgan Cleary, who has already made several trips to her new destination, Salisbury State University in Maryland, described graduation as "a cherished moment after 12 years."

"[But] it's definitely time to move on," she said.

Cleary seeks a career in nursing.

Class President Sam Haas was the first student to address the assembly of students and their guests.

"Our class is one of the best," Haas said. "We're all well prepared for what's ahead. Northwestern has prepared us and we are all ready.

Valedictorian Leigham Breckenridge will be attending the University of Virginia in the fall.

"You go to your brother's graduation and your friend's graduation but they are not this," he said. "Today, it's our time to be on the stage," said "It doesn't feel like in a couple of hours this will all be over."

Just moments later, Principal Aileen Yadush welcomed "the stars of our show" with her opening remarks.