RIMERSBURG, Clarion County — Forty four Union High School seniors turned their tassels at graduation Friday night in the high school gymnasium.

Some of the graduates will attend school nearby, and others are going to school out of state or are joining the military, but the freshly minted alums will never forget where they came from.

“Whatever path we choose next, I believe that we’ll make a difference,” said Brooke Kriebel, salutatorian and senior class president. “We all have the potential to do great things in this world.”

She’ll study early childhood education at Clarion University.

“The next few years will be eye opening as we venture into the world,” said Eric Seary, valedictorian, who will attend Penn State DuBois this fall.

Friends, teachers and a tight-knit community will be what they miss most.

“You got to connect with your teachers,” said Seth Aikens, who will study information technology at Butler County Community College this fall. He also has a software company called Two Brothers Inc.

Physics teacher Brad Kirkwood in particular made an impact for several seniors.

“He has a little bit of everything that would suit every student,” said Jordan Krear, who has enlisted in the Navy and begins basic training next month. “Teachers make more of an effort to reach out.”

Jeff Hapler and Katie Hibbard were other teachers who stuck out in students’ minds.

“She helped me through a lot of things,” said Abbey Jones of Hibbard.

Jones will attend DuBois Medical College to study to be a clinical medical assistant.

Ralph Montana, school district solicitor, was a guest speaker at commencement.

He told graduates that their diploma is analogous to a learner’s permit “helping you drive through life,” he said.

They also should take risks, and not be afraid to fail.

“It’s tough to go completely through your life without failing at something ... Without failing, you might have lived so cautiously that you failed yourself without even knowing it,” he said. “Sometimes it’s good to fail.”

He also said it’s important to be kind, have fun and make decisions with the heart.

“Stay in touch with people who matter to you,” he said.