PINEDALE – It was a full house at the Wrangler Gym last Friday night, where 59 seniors from Pinedale High School and nine seniors from Skyline Academy reflected on their time spent as students and celebrated the common accomplishment of graduating in the Class of 2017.

Students entered the ceremony slowly as “Pomp and Circumstance” was played by the Pinedale High School Concert Band, with director Justin Smith at the helm. The Star Spangled Banner, performed by the band and choir kicked off the evening, before class president Aimee Gray welcomed attendees.

Salutatorian Abigail Ennis then took to the stage and asked all seniors to stand. She had the class body to a series of motions if they, in fact, had done a list of certain things.

“Now shake your hips and spin in a circle and you’ve got the ‘Macarena,’” she smiled. “You see, we’re going to be just fine out in the real world.”

This year’s graduating class had co-Valedictorians, which consisted of Lynora Anderson and McKenna Legerski. During Anderson’s address, she thanked everyone who has been a part of each graduate’s life up until this point.

“It is because of each of you that we are here today,” she said. “I’d also like to dedicate my thoughts to those who couldn’t make it this far with us, and in particular, to a certain brilliant soul named Logan Dobkins. He was full of life but was taken too soon.”

She said there are more than 3 million other high school seniors approaching graduation, but noted that the Class of 2017 is extraordinary.

“We aren’t above average when compared to those other graduating seniors, but I refuse to believe that makes us ordinary,” she said. “You and I, Class of 2017, we are extraordinary. Not in what we’ve done, perhaps, but what we have the potential to do.”

Later, co-Valedictorian McKenna Legerski addressed her fellow classmates, starting her address by celebrating this moment after 13 years together.

“It is unbelievable that the last 13 years of school have gone by,” she said. “We, the Class of 2017, are off into the real world.”

She thanked teachers, administrators, lunch ladies, custodians, friends, family and classmates for everything leading up to this point.

“I would not be here without your support and guidance,” Legerski said. “Throughout our years together, I’ve learned several important lessons.”

Principal Jeremy Qualls returned to the podium to announce scholarships and presidential awards, before handing over the microphone to Skyline Academy Senior of the Year Sylvee McClure, who is the first-ever in SCSD#1 history to be chosen for the award. She thanked those who have helped her along her journey, along with speaking about how Skyline Academy changed her life.

“When I came to Skyline, I had poor attendance, low self-esteem and was always second-guessing myself,” she said. “My grades were a wreck and nothing was working or going right for me. Something inside of me told me it was finally going to get better. I have learned leadership, organizational skills and time management through team-building exercises. The teachers gave me the push to get out of my comfort zone and get rid of my limits.”

Later, Carroll College Head Football Coach Mike Van Diest was welcomed to the stage as the commencement speaker for the evening. He gave an uplifting speech to students and urged the graduates to stick together and to remain close to friends and family as they embark on life’s adventure.

“All the people around you came here tonight to spend time with you and celebrate everything you’ve accomplished,” he said. “Every single day is a small victory for a lot of us. Enjoy this moment and enjoy moving forward. Best wishes and God bless.”

A pair of musical presentations then followed, as the high school concert band performed “Into the Joy Spring” by James Swearingen, while the high school concert choir performed “How Far I’ll Go” by Auli’i Cravalho.

A slide show featuring photos of the seniors then ensued, with diplomas then handed out by members of the district board of trustees.

As “Song of Joy” by Ludwig Van Beethoven was played by the concert band, graduates tossed their caps high into the air and outside to celebrate with their peers, family members and friends as the most recent graduates of SCSD#1 and the Class of 2017.