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Ashley Lynn Carroll graduated from high school Saturday.
And met many of her classmates at the same time.
"It was a little nerve-wracking at first," she said.
For the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School, Saturday wasn't just commencement day. In some ways, it was a first day of school.
PALCS is a cyber school, one of 11 in Pennsylvania, in which students take classes over the Internet. Graduation allows some to meet classmates and teachers for the first time.
Of a class of 360, 204 seniors assembled Saturday at Lancaster Mennonite High School's Fine Arts Center to hear an address by former congressman Pat Toomey and to accept real diplomas from a virtual school.
It was a diverse class, ethnically and geographically, that included Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen America Julia Schlucter.
"Some of you have overcome tremendous obstacles and probably never thought this day would come," said the school's western Pennsylvania regional director, Lynn Rodden.
Some are single parents who "had to graduate while raising a child," said Kelly Anne Torra, who gave one of two senior class addresses.
PALCS, which has regional offices in Pittsburgh and West Chester, opened in the fall of 2004 with 340 students, Dr. James Hanak, the school's chief executive officer, said. Now about 2,100 students in grades K-12 are enrolled.
Cyber schools are public schools, with tuition funded by students' home districts. Toomey, described by Hanak as an advocate of educational choice, praised PALCS as "an exciting new model" of technology-based education.
"I think you're all educational entrepreneurs," he said.
Toomey, who's running next year for the U.S. Senate seat held by veteran Arlen Specter, advised graduates to choose with integrity, not to be afraid to "swing for the fences," "never believe that one person can't make a difference" and show humility and kindness to others.
PALCS has made a difference for its graduates.
Abigail Lanz, who lives in East Earl Township with parents John and Kay Lanz and wants to go to law school, attended PALCS for five years. Three younger sisters also are cyberschooled.
PALCS was easier because she worked during the day and did her coursework at night. "You have to be able to buckle down," though, she said.
Keli Royer, daughter of Jody and Brian Royer, lives in Cocalico School District and attended PALCS for two years. At 16, she's graduating a year early and plans to study cosmetology.
"It was a lot better than going to school," she said, and allowed her to be home after her mother's surgery. "The teachers helped a lot."
Ashley Carroll, whose parents are Marcia and Phil Carroll, said she was having trouble at Penn Manor High School last year. Instead of dropping out, she decided to try PALCS.
"I liked it a lot better," she said. "I had a really good year this year. ... You can work at your own pace. There's not a lot of distractions."
She has a son and is taking some time before she decides what to do with her future.
"We're overcomers," said senior class representative Christopher Spurdle. "We're leaders and shapers of the future."
Helen Colwell Adams is a Sunday News staff writer. E-mail her at hcolwell@lnpnews.com.
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