RICHLAND TWP, Clarion County — Small-town beginnings was a theme shared by many Thursday night at the Allegheny-Clarion Valley High School graduation.

Joined by friends and family at the football field, 54 seniors received their diplomas in the ceremony.

While many of the graduates will go onto college, some have made other plans.

Eric Bailey of Perry Township, Clarion County, said he has enlisted in the Navy. He is one of three members of the class to go into the military.

He will go to Chicago for basic training in November and will then study nuclear engineering for two years followed by two years of active duty.

Though he also considered the Air Force, he decided on the Navy so he could study engineering and because of a family connection: his grandfather served in the Navy during World War II.

“I think the small school setting prepared me well,” he said about his experience at A-C Valley.

Drew Kralj of Emlenton acknowledged A-C Valley is a small district in both its number of students and its geographic area.

“It’s a small school so you know everyone. Everyone is your best friend,” said Kralj, who will attend Penn State Erie, The Behrend College in the fall to study engineering.

Amy Adelman of Emlenton said she liked A-C Valley, but finds moving to a big city appealing.

In the fall she will study occupational therapy at the University of Pittsburgh.

“I’m ready to move to a big-city school. It’s a big change. I want to see what it has to offer,” Adelman said.

Tyler Fosbrink of Emlenton said he will attend Clarion University of Pennsylvania in the fall to study criminal justice. He hopes to become a state trooper.

Fosbrink said he had great teachers and loved everything about high school.

“Life changing; it was amazing,” he said.

The commencement guest speaker was A-C Valley graduate Clay Snyder, who works in management with Hilton Worldwide.

Though he no longer lives in the area, Snyder said visiting the school reminded him of the strong sense of community there.

“There’s something about giving back. It’s just what we do,” he said.

Snyder challenged the graduates to do great things and push boundaries.

“Challenge the traditional way of thinking, challenge the status quo,” he said.

Valedictorian Danielle Kaufman said in her speech the class has some great memories.

“These years were fun. These years were amazing,” Kaufman said.

She urged her classmates to not let high school be the “best years of their lives,” but rather only a beginning.

“I know there is so much more out there that life has to offer,” she said.