ADAMS TWP — Smiles, hugs and beaming pride were the order of the day at Mars High School on Thursday as 247 seniors earned their high school diplomas.

“I am so excited,” said Class of 2016 Treasurer Marge Manjerovic. “I'm so ready to move on to the next part of my life.”

Manjerovic named Darcy Silbaugh as a teacher who she will never forget.

“She's so sweet and down to Earth,” said Manjerovic, who will study marketing at Penn State in the fall. “I can talk to her about anything.”

Her friend Sadie Coffey said she will not miss the early alarm clock needed to get to school.

“I'm so happy because I don't have to get up early anymore,” she said.

Coffey named Ted Gross as her favorite teacher since coming to Mars in the seventh grade.

“He's fun, and he makes learning interesting,” she said.

Coffey will study business in the fall at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Mike Thompson easily described his feelings as he was about to graduate.

“I feel ecstatic,” said the future accounting major at North Greenville University in South Carolina. “This is it.”

He said teacher David Kuremsky is a Mars educator he appreciated.

“I had him for trigonometry, and his dry sense of humor always made me laugh,” Thompson said.

Richard Rude also was ready to see his public school days come to a happy end.

“I feel wonderful because it starts a new chapter in my life,” he said.

Rude, who will study at Gnomon School of Visual Effects in Hollywood, Calif., said art teacher Erin Sloane is an unforgettable teacher.

“She's been with me my whole art career and she supported me beyond just art classes,” Rude said. “She is a wonderful lady.”

School Board President Dayle Ferguson said she is proud of all of the graduates, but one in particular stood out.

Cole Ferguson is the first of Ferguson's three children to graduate.

“I'm a little extra emotional this evening and extra proud,” she said. “I just know he's going to do great things.”

Ferguson said Cole was a kindergarten student when she first ran for a school board seat, and in first grade when she won the election.

She wished all the 2016 graduates the very best.

“I'm so proud of our graduates,” Ferguson said. “I'm excited to see how their time at Mars has prepared them for their next steps in life.”