Guest speaker and Brandywine teacher Sara Gleason had a message for the 80 students who graduated Sunday at Brandywine High School.

Life after high school isn’t going to be easy.

“Right now, you aren’t entitled to a job or happiness. You are going to have to work for that, but I know looking at you all that you can manage it,” she said. “It’s OK to be scared, but don’t be afraid … take some risks … make a name for yourself.”

Gleason also gave thanks to the people who had the largest influence on the students’ lives — their parents.

“They’ve done a pretty good job … and I want to applaud them,” Gleason said. “We can’t do the job we need to do without you.”

Most of the Brandywine High School Class of 2012 already have plans for life after high school.

More than 90 percent plan on attending a college or university, while seven percent plan on joining the military.

Superintendent John Jarpe had advice for all of them.

“My challenge to you is to try to always remember to make a positive difference in the lives of other people,” Jarpe said. “That’s what our teachers are doing every day.”

Sunday’s commencement ceremony in the high school gymnasium was the 50^th in the school’s history.

Also speaking during commencement were Dennis Cooper, school board president; co-valedictorians Angelika Anderson and Alex Reichanadter; and co-salutatorians Ryan Probst and Taylor Stowe.