"A class of firsts," the 19 students who graduated Saturday from Calvary Lutheran High School became the first graduating class to spend all four years in the school's new facility on Route B in Jefferson City.
Valedictorian Mary-Agnes Rembert Elliott said she and her fellow graduates were the first to fully enjoy the school's gymnasium, stage, cafeteria and classrooms, noting pride in the school's growth and achievements since its start in 2005.
Elliott said her four years at Calvary Lutheran have changed her for the better and prepared her, as well as her fellow classmates, for the road ahead.
"All those typical days at Calvary ended up changing me as a person," Elliott said. "For those of you going to Calvary now and have several years left, you may not see a change in yourself. But I guarantee, on graduation, you'll be a different, stronger, braver, better, more positive person, not to mention firmly grounded in your Christian faith."
Elliott and the rest of the 2015 graduating class from Calvary are all headed to colleges in the fall, with many staying in the Mid-Missouri area. Nearly half of the graduating seniors are members of the National Honor Society.
Salutatorian Beau Monson likened high school to a basketball game, with each year representing one quarter. By the fourth quarter, he said, many thought they were ready for it, but they weren't.
Monson said the summer before his senior year, he met an incoming freshman, Colin Propst, who seemed unsure of himself. Monson said he offered advice to Propst and the two became friends. Monson said Propst, who died in September 2014, taught him the importance of being a mentor and reminded him to stay humble.
"In the end, it wasn't me (who) changed his life, it was him (who) changed mine," Monson said. "Colin was a wonderful kid who enjoyed life. ... Maybe all we need is a heart and love to show."
The Rev. Joshua Knippa, who served as commencement speaker and is associate pastor at Faith Lutheran Church, encouraged students to be the "light of the world" and offered advice for the graduates to continue living a good life. First, he said, dream big.
"Don't aspire to make a living, aspire to make an impact," Knippa said.
Second, he said, work hard.
"Surround yourself with smart people and ask a lot of questions," Knippa said. "That will never serve you wrong. Because you'll learn from them and they'll learn from you. ... That's how we grow."
Third, he said, guard your heart.
"Invest in people," Knippa said. "Don't give away your heart illicitly."
Knippa also told students there will be times of disappointment, pain, heartbreak and sleeplessness. In those times, he said, keep breathing as a new day begins to rise.
"Who knows what the next day will bring," Knippa said.
The Calvary Lutheran High School class of 2015 also gave a gift to the school - a new trophy case for the school's hallway, with any remaining funds to help pay off a curtain for the auditorium.