PEABODY – A rendition of the national anthem, sung by the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School’s mixed chorus & chorale, including graduating seniors, got the PVMHS graduation ceremony off to a rousing start Friday at Coley Lee Field.Full of excitement, the graduates sat facing the bleachers and enthusiastically sought out their families. Much to the administration’s dismay, many snuck in beach balls, blew them up and happily tossed them around throughout the ceremony.Principal Eric Buckley presented the George Peabody Award to the eight highest-ranking students in the class: Julia Brown, Jakob Stenson, Samantha Kinnaly, Jillian Connolly, Nicholas Blaisdell, Mary Margaret St. Cruz, Ira Ceka and Sarah Godschall.Class co-presidents Lauren Barrett and Sarah Dunne welcomed the audience, with a common message that was shared by all of the speakers: as the graduates continue on to the next phase of their journey, may they remain true to their good and compassionate nature.Ted Bettencourt Jr., mayor of Peabody, was one of the guest speakers. His advice was simple: “follow your dreams.”Also a guest speaker was Sen. Joan Lovely, who is currently serving her second term in the Second Essex District.Joseph A. Mastrocola, superintendent of schools, encouraged the seniors to remain true to themselves.”You may find that the world throws indifference or apathy at you. You may find yourself facing prejudice or intolerance. You may even find that the world will laugh at your dreams, or that people will try to discourage you, your goals, or your aspirations – that’s okay,” he said. “You have the courage of your convictions to challenge boundaries and obstacles that stand in your way.”Have faith in the world, challenge injustice, embrace your strengths, respect your community and value all that you’ve been taught,” he said.”My hope is that you will continue to embrace the challenges in your daily lives, be sincere and loyal, always display the character and traits that others will admire and strive to emulate. Be compassionate individuals. Take time to love and laugh,” said Buckley.But it was the graduating speakers who were the stars of the show. Their speeches inspired the graduates and audience alike because of their heartfelt and honest nature.The salutatorian, Ira Ceka began by saying, “according to Urban Dictionary, the salutatorian is the least important person of the high school students who had to make a speech today.”The crowd erupted into laughter and her quips continued only to bring across an important message.”There were times when I felt inferior. Times I felt I wasn’t good enough. Times I felt I had to prove I was somebody I’m not,” she said. “Don’t be afraid of being the one to stand alone, to not fit in. Don’t be afraid of losing.””There is no such thing as being the best, but there is such thing as being your best … Be your definition of good enough and don’t let anybody tell you what you can or cannot be.”Valedictorian Sarah Godschell shared a similar message.”We are 431 individuals but we act as one class,” she said. “Instead of letting the world change us, let’s change the world.”It was clear the graduating class held a common value: preserving their values, dreams and aspirations, despite what the rest of the world might think.”Congratulations,” said Godschall, “and thank you for making it so hard to say goodbye.”