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Franklin Regional Celebrates Hope, Resiliency During Graduation Ceremony

June 6, 2014 / 10:32 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

MURRYSVILLE (KDKA) -- It was a night of celebration and looking towards the future in Murrysville Friday as the senior class at Franklin Regional High School donned caps and gowns and received their diplomas.

Just a few weeks ago it had been feared that Franklin Regional's commencement ceremony would be a painful event, shrouded by a stabbing spree that injured 21 people.

However, it was anything but painful. Instead, it was a celebration of survival.

"When we were faced with tragedy, we united as one," said Connor Wolff, class orator. "We banded together in courage and loyalty to stand up against anyone who dare try to take our school from us."

Principal Ron Suvak told the graduates that they are not defined by a stabbing attack, but by many other events.

"The myriad and multitude of your accomplishments before that day, your reactions on that day and your resiliency in leading our building since that day," said Suvak.

The message from class valedictorian Sara Pike was that the events of April 9 were some of the most important lessons they received.

"That just goes to show that we are unstoppable," said Pike. "We can do anything we want to and when life knocks us down, we get right back up on our feet."

That's what these grads did; they got back on their feet.

As their superintendent put it, they are teachers to the world.

"You, our staff, and our entire community demonstrated to the world, the importance of having the right attitude in the face of adversity," said Dr. Gennaro Piriano.

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