Blair Oaks High School's 100 graduates heard a lot about "family" during Sunday night's Commencement Ceremony.
Teacher Lisa Stock said students should pay attention to that phrase they probably already have heard a lot: "Remember where you come from," because "it's this place, this moment, all of us believing in you."
Cole County Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Hoelscher, a 1989 Blair Oaks graduate, said: "Don't take your families for granted," and reminded the graduates that "family is not just blood. You have your family of friends, your family of clubs, athletics, classmates and, believe it or not, even your teachers. ...
"Your whole life will be around relationships that you develop, and these relationships will make up the variety of families you will want by your side throughout your lifetime."
This year's class included Hoelscher's son, Dylan.
In the Blair Oaks tradition, the seniors choose their two graduation speakers.
Stock, a second-year teacher, recalled that she was reluctant to accept their invitation, because "I'm only 28. I'm still learning and I'm still growing and I am, by no means, wise."
When she graduated from high school 11 years ago, Stock said, "I was wishing the speaker on-stage would talk faster, so I could get the heck out of Jeff City and on with my life.
"But, the next morning, when I realized I was actually leaving and the adult thing was happening - I felt lost and a little scared."
Those feelings are OK, she told the students.
"You are a rocket, ready to launch into the world," Stock explained, "and it's OK not to be clear where you're pointed or, even, how you're going to get off the ground."
Students should expect to question some of their decisions and to remember that they will make mistakes.
"Plans are great and a goal is necessary," Stock said, "but sometimes a big deer comes running out on Route B and you have to slow down or stop on your way to get where you're going.
"It just happens - that doesn't mean, however, that you can't ever get" to reach your goals.
Principal Gary Verslues joked that Hoelscher, as a student, had a reputation for having "the most tardies, the most school spirit, (being) the most hyper and most likely to get caught doing something wrong."
Hoelscher added to that, saying many of the school's faculty probably were happy to see him graduate.
But seven years ago, when he first ran for the county commission, Hoelscher said he was pleased with the support he got from his own family, and surprised by the support he received from some of those teachers he thought were glad to seem him leave the high school.
"I'm still learning this myself," he told the seniors, "but learn to listen. Many messages will be delivered (to you) not only tonight, but for the rest of your lives.
"Be thankful for your opportunities and strive to make yourself better."
Jones noted this year's seniors have shown "awesome results" in the things they already have done.
Guidance Counselor Jill Shanley noted the graduates earned more than $2.6 million in scholarships.
More than half the class - 56 - will attend a four-year college or university, and another 33 seniors will head to two-year college or technical school, she said. Seven are headed straight to the workforce, and three are joining the U.S. military.
Jones said: "If your body of work is any indication over the last 13 years, we will all be blessed with the impact to be made by the Blair Oaks class of 2015," he said, then pointed to the class motto: "Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon."
Jones said we all had "best brace ourselves" for the works to come.