Seneca Valley graduates celebrate Friday night after rain delayed their commencement ceremony for 80 minutes. At right from top: band member Sammi Logan takes shelter under a music stand; middle school staff member John Roman dries chairs; special education supervisor Jerry Miller improvises for shelter.

JACKSON TWP — Nearly 600 students ended one journey but started another Friday night as they said goodbye to the Seneca Valley School District.

More than a thousand family members and friends packed into NexTier Stadium despite thunderstorms that interrupted the ceremony for more than an hour.

District officials briefly discussed postponing the graduation ceremony because of lightning but the sky cleared and it resumed about 8 p.m.

The rainy weather didn't stop the smiles and hugs that were abundant on campus before and after the ceremony.

Cranberry Township resident Michael DeLeo waited for the procession to start into the stadium as he reflected on the end of his high school career.

The senior, who plans to study at Grove City College in the fall, said he was “feeling a little bit of everything” Friday night.

“I look back and see that I did everything I wanted to do, but there's still so much more to do,” he said about going away to college. “We're leaving behind so much but gaining so much too.”

Valedictorian Tanner Quiggle was one of several students to give a speech during the ceremony. He spoke about “hard work, determination and how to push yourself.”“Always work hard to make sure the odds are in your favor,” he told his fellow students.Quiggle plans to study biomedical engineering at Penn State while also running on the track team.Hayley Hoss of Cranberry, who plans to study music education at Bowling Green University, said she will most miss the “atmosphere of friendliness” that permeates the halls at Seneca Valley.

“I loved high school and will miss it very much, but I'm prepared to move on,” she said.Senior high school teacher Jim Lucot said graduation ceremonies can be difficult if only because so many people move on at once.Lucot said he's written more than a dozen letters of recommendations for students this year, and he noted that some of his students are getting internships that usually go to college students.“It's hard for me this time of year,” he said. “But these kids are going to do amazing things.”Superintendent Tracy Vitale agreed and said she doesn't remember a graduating class that did more for its community.“I've been very impressed with their community service and their motivation to help others, she said.

Middle school staff member John Roman dries chairs before the graduates return to their seats.

Band member Sammi Logan takes shelter under a music stand.