Speaker Deepayan Patra addresses the audience and fellow classmates during the 109th commencement ceremony at Mars High School on June 7, 2018.

ADAMS TWP — Deepayan Patra admits he may not be the best person to have given advice to his classmates Thursday.

Still, the 16-year-old student didn't take lightly the challenge of speaking to his fellow Mars High School graduates during the 2018 graduation ceremony.

“Apparently, today, I'm supposed to let you all know how to live perfect, successful, happy lives in the next two-and-a-half minutes,” he told the 286 graduates. “But I'm 16. I can't even drive yet. All things considered, I'm probably not the best person to give you advice on living life.”

Instead, Patra, who will attend Carnegie Mellon University in the fall to study computer science, urged his fellow classmates to look toward the future while remembering their years in the district.

“I want you to remember that the best part of each and every one of you is your kindness, and it is the quality that I hope will define your future,” he said.

Wes Shipley, district superintendent, said graduates will inevitably face challenges as they head into the world, but he, the teachers and staff know they are ready to face those challenges head on.

A full story will appear in the Butler Eagle.