JEFFERSON TWP — Excitement mixed with cheerful goodwill filled the packed Knoch High School gymnasium Friday at commencement for the Class of 2011.

“I'm excited,” Dale Lumley, superintendent, said as he entered the building. “This is my first graduating class as superintendent. I wish all the students well in their future endeavors.”

Before the start of graduation, students socialized in the hallways and classrooms for the last time, the young men in blue caps and gowns and the young women in gold.

Shannon Evanchec, winner of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics scholarship, said she will be going to the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta to study environmental engineering and French.

Shannon is one of 41 Knight of Knowledge award winners in the class. All earned 3.65 grade point averages in high school. She also is one of 14 members of the National Honor Society.

Ryan Schultheis and Jamie Murray are both pursuing forensic accounting degrees, although at different schools.

Ryan is on his way to Clarion University, and Jamie is headed to Indiana (Pa.) University.

“We've had accounting class together for the past three years,” Jamie said.

Gilbert Osche, another Knight of Knowledge winner, will go to Butler County Community College to study English.

“I'd like to get a doctorate and teach college level English,” he said.

Gilbert, who writes poetry, said he likes to explore the “truths of humanity” he finds in literature.

Storm Hajek, winner of eight scholarships, a Knight of Knowledge award and a member of the National Honor Society, said her faith helped her to accomplish her goals.

“I think my faith is part of everything I do,” Storm said.

She'll pursue a nursing degree at Messiah College in Grantham, Pa.

Jaimie Fulmer was one of five graduates wearing honor cords from the National Technical Honor Society.

Jamie, who attended the Butler County Vocational-Technical School, said honor cord recipients had to maintain a 3.0 grade point average in their home schools and a 4.0 in their vo-tech courses.

Jamie will attend BC3 to study early childhood education. She wants to teach elementary special education.

William Hlebiczki, a Knight of Knowledge awardee, is headed to Geneva College to study civil engineering.

“I'm going to play some football there,” William said. He won an academic scholarship from the school, too.

Shayla Kapp said she was glad to get out of high school. She'll attend Pittsburgh Technical Institute to learn criminal justice. She'd like to become a juvenile probation officer.

Nicole Wright nearly has her cosmetology license and hopes to work in a salon.

“I got all of my hours through the vo-tech,” Nicole said.

Once inside the gymnasium, the students received rousing applause amid a bevy of flashbulbs.

Later, graduates who have joined the military received a standing ovation.