Jordan Majcan is wheeled off the stage after he got up from his wheelchair and walked to receive his diploma during Friday's commencement ceremony at Seneca Valley High School. Majcan was severely injured in a car accident in November 2015.

JACKSON TWP — Be kind. That was Superintendent Tracy Vitale's parting advice for the 560 graduates of Seneca Valley School District who walked across the stage at NexTier Stadium on Friday night.

“You are going to be given much advice in this transitional stage of your life,” she said. “I won't add to it by standing here checking off a list of things you should live by. But … I think I can impart one piece of wisdom on you. Be kind. It's simple. It's direct. And it's the right thing to do.”

For their first lesson in kindness, and their last lesson at Seneca Valley, Vitale had the soon-to-be graduates stand and face the home bleachers that were overflowing with family and friends.

Alexa Bolena, the salutatorian,challenged her fellow graduates to focus on personal progress rather than practicing for perfection. She urged her cohorts to stop comparing themselves to others, but instead to think about how they can better themselves day-to-day.

Progress was demonstrated by Jordan Majcan, who rose from his wheelchair to walk across the stage to receive his diploma. Majcan was severely injured in a car accident in November 2015. He fractured two vertebrae and was temporarily paralyzed but has been in rehabilitation since to work on getting back to his feet.

Majcan walked with help and received a standing ovation from the audience and his classmates.

Read more about Seneca Valley's graduation in Sunday's Butler Eagle.