Erica Haimbaugh, Jessica Lafler and Elizabeth Hein stand together after giving speeches during the Niles High School Class of 2013 commencement Thursday at Niles High. Leader photo/CRAIG HAUPERT

The 215 graduates of Niles High School turned their tassels from right to left, then tossed their caps high into the air, signifying the end of their high school days.

Thursday’s commencement ceremony — the 57th in the school’s history — went off without a hitch, save for a young child tossing a bouncing ball into the front row of graduates in the high school gymnasium midway through.

There were lots of smiles, hugs, handshakes and, even a few tears, as parents watched their children step forward into adulthood.

Plenty of advice was handed out, too.

Valedictorian Erica Haimbaugh urged her classmates to become independent thinkers and lifelong learners, while Jessica Lafler told them to remember life is a journey, not a destination.

Lafler also said, from here on out, no one will care if you were a class officer or on the honor roll — they want to know what you have achieved.

“Anyone can do some busy work and pass a class,” she said, “not everyone can make a monumental discovery that rocks the world.”

Graduating senior Sarah Cramer presented a gift from the Class of 2013, a quote best representing the class that will remain in the halls of Niles High forever.

It reads: “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And, most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”