LOCK HAVEN - It probably won't be the crowning achievement of their lives and careers, but the 2012 graduating class at Jersey Shore High School pulled off what was most likely the best senior prank in the history of the district.
The audience of hundreds of well-wishers, family members and friends were not so quiet a cricket could be heard, as they chortled and laughed at the creative endeavor.
Almost certainly less amused were the maintenance staff and teachers who had to deal the headaches when they discovered that 6,000 crickets had been released into the high school.
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But even the security personnel and some of the teachers at the Jersey Shore High School football stadium had to chuckle about that.
Heck, if you looked closely, you might have seen a few small smiles touching the faces of the administrators and school board.
Relatively harmless pranks aside, the 194 students who graduated Saturday morning already have demonstrated teamwork, creatively and a bit of intelligence.
According to their class officers, valedictorian and salutatorian, they now stand ready to apply those finely honed skills in the next stage of their lives.
Class President Taylor Curry, who outlined the gag for the appreciative crowd, turned to more serious matters when she listed the key players in ensuring the seniors achieved success at the school,
Beyond, family members and the professionals at the school, she said, she wanted to credit her "idol" - "My mom, for never leaving me and always helping me to strive to be all I can be."
"We made it," she told her fellow graduates, "We are the generation of Rug Rats and Harry Potter, we walk out of here today as graduates."
"The years have gone by fast," said Salutatorian Jared Fisher, who has been accepted to Penn State University, where he will study engineering. "We've made friendships that will last a lifetime (as we enter our new) role of active citizenship ... We are indebted to our family, our teachers, our advisors and other staff members who helped us along the way. We can use experiences as we aim at future goals and aspirations."
As for success, Valedictorian Ryan Koch asked his fellow seniors what that word meant to them and received varied responses, from "no regrets" to "the hard work you put into what you do."
He urged his fellow students to put their heart into whatever goals they choose, "and you will find success.
"Be successful at what you do," he urged his friends and companions, "and never give up."
Graduates unable to attend the ceremony included John G. Burkhart III, Dereck A. Cannady-Rodriguez, Caitlin C. Chapman, Joseph Dantzler-Harris, Lisa M. Davis, Blake A. Dunbar and Brianna M. McCloskey.
