The Lehigh Valley Charter HS for the Arts celebrated the class of 2015 at the school's 12th commencement ceremony June 11 at Packer Chapel on Lehigh University's campus.

One hundred-five seniors filed into the chapel to music performed by the brass quintet, taking their seats before Executive Director Diane LaBelle rose to speak. "In my experience, I have found that there are two types of people in the world," LaBelle said. "There are those who make excuses for why something didn't happen and then there are those who figure out a way to make something happen. Not just for themselves, but for their community and their world. Which one are you?"

LaBelle urged the graduates toward the proactive path by using the skills they practiced and learned at Charter Arts to make the world a better place.

Principal Sharon Fehlinger-Ricker took the podium to discuss the seniors' accomplishments, including the total of $1,916,952 awarded in scholarships and grants, as well as how an education in the arts has enhanced their high school experience.

"We hold a common understanding that the arts are what tie us together as humans. I couldn't be prouder of their accomplishments," she said. "In a building where there are no windows, our kids thrive."

She then produced a shovel withheld from the groundbreaking ceremony in 2013, which was presented to LaBelle by Amanda Hodes on behalf of the senior class as a representation of the magic students felt and will continue to feel at Charter Arts.

Words of advice to "embrace the differences you encounter" at the end of Fehlinger-Ricker's speech were echoed by student speaker Natalie Claire Vega.

"Our differences, those make us all unique and special, may have caused friction between us at times," Vega said. "It's been important for us to reconcile these differences."

She reminded her peers that this important skill of putting aside differences to work toward a common goal learned at Charter Arts is one that must be carried forth throughout their lives. She urged them to take these skills and use them for integration and activism, through the vehicles of education, invention, art and love.

"Change starts with the youth inside each of us and our time is now," Vega said. "As part of the upcoming generation, it is our turn to rise to the occasion using the creativity and compassion that we have learned here at Charter Arts."

Student speaker Albert Nelthropp chose to discuss "the reality of our space" rather than the various talents and characters of members of the senior class, speaking about how what once was a factory has become a residence for the arts.

"Our vacant factory was a wonderful foundation, our school was a blank canvas ready to be painted by the colorful minds, the vibrant personalities ... We were able to create so much something from nothing," Nelthropp said. The class of 2015 was acknowledged as the final class to graduate from the vacant factory that was transformed to house Charter Arts. As future classes inhabit the new building on Third Street, Nelthropp said he hopes that it will be used merely as an accessory because "a building cannot create art."

Before the graduates were presented and the tassels turned, each of the department heads presented the outstanding achievement awards. The seven students and their awards were Kyla Makovsky, dance; Chanel Brace, figure skating; Daniel Syvret, instrumental music; Sarah Bauch, theater; Thomas Marzella, visual art; Lauren Kostelny, vocal music; and Amanda Hodes, academics.

"You are graduating from a very special place," LaBelle said. "You have opened the door to your future and the future of the new Charter Arts.

"I look forward to all of you coming back and performing at our new school. Now go forward and make your life a work of art."