"It's bittersweet," Ketti Cullom admitted. "But we've been waiting for this." From the wide smiles recognizing the big day had finally arrived to the tears that classmates shared knowing different paths awaited, this year's class spent the buildup to Sunday's ceremony making sure to cherish the time together. "I'm nervous and I'm excited," Amber Brozovich remarked. Ravyn Cline added: "I am all grown up and scared, but it has to happen sometime." Jeremy Way, high school principal, praised this year's group of seniors for their academic and athletic successes. Last fall's football team was the first to advance to the playoffs in 10 years, while other students were selected to the Missouri Scholars Academy or received all-state recognition through band or choir. Superintendent Dr. John Long said this is the time the students start living life as adults. "You can do what you want, go where you want, live your life how you want," he said. Sunday's ceremony didn't overlook the tragic fact the district mourned the deaths of two students killed in separate vehicle accidents in a two-week period during the latter part of the school year. One of the deceased, Casey Monshower, would have graduated this year. The other, Devin Sherry, was a junior. They were killed March 21 and April 1, respectively. When Monshower's name was read aloud when it should have been her turn to receive her diploma, the entire senior class stood and applauded. Dozens of others in the crowd joined in as well. "We wanted to make sure she was honored for all she did do," Beth Nordwald said. "She did impact a lot of lives." A moment of silence to remember Monshower and Sherry was held at the beginning of the opening remarks offered by Long. The keynote speaker for the commencement was former school board member and 1976 graduate John Nordwald. He was introduced by his daughter and graduating senior Beth Nordwald. John Nordwald spoke about how a midlife crisis led to his current occupation of being a successful insurance agent. He told the seniors to remember his lifelong motto - "If it is to be, it's up to me." "Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude," he said. "Remember failure is an event. If at first you don't succeed, try again." Others who spoke at Sunday's service were the five valedictorians - Kayla Meine, Sam Pelts, Malory Toebben, Ben Tappmeyer and A.J.Wallace - and salutatorian Kristin Schneider. The other salutatorian honored was Gabrielle Hane, but she didn't attend commencement since she is currently spending time overseas as a foreign exchange student. Diplomas also were awarded to two seniors - exchange students Julian Brinckmann and Felix Netten. Brinckmann, from Germany, said he will have to attend two more years of high school once he arrives back home. Other than the warm hospitality, his year was highlighted by the opportunity to play varsity soccer. "I wanted to experience an American high school," Brinckmann said. "I enjoyed it a lot. Soccer was really good and people here are really nice." Netten arrived from the Netherlands and hopes his future includes working as an ambassador to the United States. "It (the year) went really fast," Netten said. "The people were very nice. This was a good experience to learn the culture."