Linden High School and the Linden City Board of Education conferred 47 diplomas Friday night in the school’s commencement ceremony.

Class valedictorian Alexis Johnson and class salutatorian Felesia Dukes addressed their family and friends during the ceremony before the students were called to walk across the stage.

“We wouldn’t be here without the support of our family, friends and mentors,” Johnson said. “While it’s sad that our days in high school end tonight, we must remember the best is yet to come. Our lives will be forever altered after tonight.”

Johnson challenged her classmates to write the next chapter of their stories as she does the same.

“We’re all flying solo now,” she said.

Dukes said when she found out she was the salutatorian for her class, she was excited, but nervous because she knew she had to give a speech at graduation.

“With help from my family, friends and teachers, I decided that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” she said. “We’re all excited for the beginning of our future, but we’re also sad at the same time. We need to put the bad behind us and remember the good times we had. All of us are successful, not only for receiving our diplomas tonight, but for making it here in one piece.”

Linden High School Principal Dr. Timothy Thurman announced more than 50 scholarships for the LHS Class of 2014 during the ceremony.