There was plenty of cheer to go around as Mercer Island High School celebrated its 58th Commencement Exercises Thursday, June 11 at Key Arena in Seattle. The senior class of 320 students smiled and shined before strolling down the aisle to accept their high school diplomas.

After a performance of the National Anthem by Shea Kelsay on trumpet, principal Vicki Puckett said she would remember the class of 2015 as a dedicated, intelligent and spirited group that set the model for the school’s theme of integrity, innovation and inspiration.

“Your education is a dress rehearsal for a life that is yours to lead,” Puckett said, quoting the late journalist and screenwriter Nora Ephron. “Enjoy every moment, because the moments go really, really fast.”

Mercer Island’s five valedictorians took turns addressing their graduating class. David Emanuels thanked all the people who helped him get to the podium, spotlighting the late West Mercer first grade math teacher Nancy Burrill, elementary teacher Mark Headlee, middle school science teacher Tonya VanOrden and high school teacher Jan Sayers. Emily Menz spoke of her desire to take on new activities throughout her high school career because “we only have high school once.”

“Experience everything, because as someone once said, your life will flash before your eyes,” she said. “Make sure it’s worth watching.”

David Hendricks spoke of taking a different path through high school and participating in the Running Start program at Bellevue College, and noted choosing the road less traveled can be greatly rewarding. Lauren Hsue admitted as a strict goal-oriented person, she may have missed her share of opportunities to appreciate her high school experience to its fullest extent. She said while no one can change the past, they can make choices today to slow down and savor the moment. And Carlin Chuck urged his classmates to accept the mysteries of life, stay curious and cognizant and take on new experiences. He mentioned one mystery to him was the amount of care provided by parents and teachers, marveling at the time, energy and dedication they show.

“I don’t know how you do what you do, but I know how much it means to us here,” he said.

MIHS English teacher and faculty speaker Jeff Randolph comically lamented about having to hear from graduating students how they couldn’t wait to leave high school after only four years, when numerous other teachers, himself included, had been at the school much longer. Randolph implored the graduating seniors to find their calling and learn to do it well. As a new dad, he asked the students to not forget about their own parents.

“Please do your parents a favor and when you can, let them know how you’re doing in the adult world,” he said.

The crowd was treated to musical performances of Benedetto Marcello’s “Concerto in C minor” by Isaac Miller on oboe and Eric Westergard on piano, and then “Meditation” from Thais, with Ann Guinee on Viola and Ailin Fu on piano. Later in the evening, Norihiro Shiotsu dedicated his cello performance of “Julie-O” by Mark Summer to the class of 2015 and also to his girlfriend.

Emanuels returned to the podium as class speaker, and challenged his classmates to wake up everyday as excited as they were on graduation day.

Before the ceremonial tassel flip, senior class officers Benji Holen, Luke Mounger and Topher LaCrampe walked through their memories of each year of high school. They noted that together, the class of 2015 survived freshman year, the end of the Mayan Calendar and Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe,” among other things.

“The class of 2015 transcends conventional notions. We are hotter than fire and colder than ice,” Holen said. “I wouldn’t trade my high school experience for anything.”