BUFFALO TWP — With the simple switch of a tassel, 159 beaming faces in blue and gold entered adult life on Friday evening.

The Freeport High School 2018 Commencement was held at 7 p.m. in the district's middle school gymnasium before a plethora of proud parents, teachers and administrators.

Before proceeding into the gym to the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” the students heard a rousing and heartfelt speech by their principal, Michael Kleckner.

As the burly administrator prowled the cafeteria where the students were seated in their caps and gowns, he charged them with making their alma mater proud.

“You have the ability to touch people. You have the ability to impact people,” Kleckner shouted, jabbing the air with his fists for emphasis. “That is my challenge to you now.”

The students responded by cheering and pounding on the cafeteria tables they may never see again.

“It's really overwhelming,” said graduating senior Olivia Lindsey.

“It's bittersweet. I am blessed to have gone to Freeport. They made me who I am today,” she said.

Lindsey, who will attend Butler County Community College in the fall as a special education major, immediately named Mark Wyant as a teacher who she will never forget.

“He is always so understanding and he cares for each and every student,” she said.

She also appreciates her parents' efforts during her 13-year public school career.

“Thank you for motivating me to graduate,” she said. “I love you.”

Her classmate Jake Wendt called graduation “a good feeling.”

“I'm finally finished with school and I'm ready to start my life,” Wendt said.

He named Chris Graczyk, a high school English teacher, as an educator who impacted him during his time at Freeport.

“He always joked around in class and made everyone smile,” Wendt said.

Wendt will enter the Army National Guard after graduation.

Paige Obringer said she felt excited but also a little nervous as she lined up for commencement.

“I'm sad to see everyone for the last time,” she admitted.

The future Slippery Rock University physical therapy student named Edward Carr as her favorite Freeport teacher.

“Even if you didn't have him for class, he was always there for you,” she said.

Obringer also recognizes the support her parents have provided over 13 years.

“Thanks for putting up with me and dealing with everything I put you through,” she said.

Dean Cyphert realized the gravity of graduation night.

“I'm excited but a little nervous at the same time,” Cyphert said. “We all worked really hard for 13 years to come to this moment.”

Cyphert, who will attend Penn State University as a chemical engineering major, named Phil Grasha as an outstanding Freeport educator.

“He made class fun and interesting,” Cyphert said of the chemistry teacher. “I learned the most about any subject from him.”

Kaitlyn Nicholas and her friends waited excitedly to enter the gymnasium.

“I'm nervous but also really excited at the same time, so overall I'm really overwhelmed with the whole situation,” Nicholas said of graduating.

Nicholas will attend Penn State-Behrend to major in plastics engineering technology.

She named David Jones as a special Freeport teacher.

“He's helped me out a lot over the past two years with math and anything else I've needed,” Nicholas said.

Student commencement speakers Matt Charlton and Claire Crytzer gave speeches entitled “The Journey of our Lives” and “Shine,” respectively.

“We've accomplished so many things and shared so many memories that will be part of our lives forever,” Charlton said.

“We have been given one of the most powerful tools anyone can possess, an education,” Crytzer said.