Struggles, Success Help to Unite Spring-Ford Class of 2013 [PHOTOS]

Spring-Ford Area High School graduation Friday was much like any other in the area; friends and family packed the Coach McNally Stadium in Limerick, the band played Pomp and Circumstance, guest speakers imparted wisdom upon graduates.

Two things, however, were markedly different than what some would expect from a graduating class.

First - the successes.

In the 2013-2014 year, Spring Ford Area High School had a state championship-winning Girls Basketball team, a record-breaking seven PAC-10 titles, the highest Pennsylvania System of School Assessment (PSSA scores) for a Spring-Ford class, countless awards won by the Spring-Ford Marching Band, and more - marking an extremely successful group.

"We have redefined what it means to be a Spring-Ford Student," said valedictorian Amanda Jurewicz.

Unfortunately, it is also tragedy that has brought this class together, and it was a theme through several of the remarks.

"We all wish we could have here with us tonight those who could not be here," said salutatorian Benjamin Schein, referring to three members of the 2013 graduating class who suffered untimely deaths -  Kyle Kulp, who passed in 2011 during a scuba diving accident, Conor McKenna, who died in May of 2011 after a battle with cancer, and Julianne Siller, who was stabbed to death just three weeks before graduation.

The graduates were offered a reminder of those classmates as announcers paused while reading their names while diplomas were being presented.

Speakers also acknowledged that, while the loss of friends has been devastating, it has helped to unite the class in a way that most may not understand.

"If [people] knew the experiences - both the good and the bad - that we shared and persevered through as a class, maybe then, people would understand how close we've become as a group," said Schein

Another speaker reflected that the losses have helped students to understand their own mortality.

"As this class already knows all too well, our time is limited," said senior class president Steven Sharon.

Editor's note: If you would like a high-resolution copy of any of the photos in our gallery, email the number of the photo (upper right-hand corner) to keith.heffintrayer@patch.com, and we'll email it to you free of charge.