Members of the graduating class of 2011 are shown following the tradition of throwing their mortarboards in the air as they were declared graduates.

BY HELEN FOSTER

A 1998 graduate of Susquehanna Community High School who went on to become a podiatrist, returned to her alma mater Saturday morning to encourage the 2011 class.

Dr. Esther Barnes encouraged the graduates to do everything they could to master whatever they decided to do in life.

“Working hard and being good at what you do leads to success,” Barnes said, also noting that it’s important to treat people the way you want to be treated.

The importance of interacting with people by being truly interested in what they do and who they are also was stressed. Dr. Barnes encouraged the graduated to reach beyond their immediate goals as they strive to meet their life’s ambitions and ultimate success.

Class president Alex Price welcomed those attending the high school’s 59^th graduation which was was moved indoors from the football field to the high school gym because of a threat of thundershowers

Valedictorian Nicholas Marco thanked administrators for molding the school system into one of the finest in the state and also gave credit to those able to help keep the 2011 class “in line.”

He said, “The world needs this generation to go out and change it for the better.”

Principal Mark Gerchman said that 61 percent of the class have made plans to further their education; seven percent will be joining the military and 29 percent are entering the workforce.

Students who have attained the highest achievement in a specific curriculum areas were recognized as follows: Nicholas Marco, English, Science and Social Studies; Kacey Norris, Spanish; Sean Leonard, Mathematics; David Winn, French; Alex Price, Arts; Music, Sean Leonard; Family and Consumer Science, Christine Compton; Industrial Technology, Steven Skurski; Vocational Technology, Caitlin Miller.