Waiting for the band to begin “Pomp and Circumstance,” Warrenton High School senior Zack Fields summed up his classmates’ graduation day emotions.“ I wasn’t ready this morning, but now I’m ready,” Fields said. By the time commencement concluded Saturday night, 235 graduates had received their diplomas, the symbolic candle passed from the Class of 2013 to the Class of 2014, countless photos had been taken and one marriage proposal made. Warrenton High School (WHS) Principal Jeremy Way congratulated students for their academic achievements, and recognized students who had achieved all state honors in band, choir, FFA, softball and wrestling. “What I will remember most about the Class of 2013 is how charitable you were,” Way said, citing the class’ involvement in Operation Backpack, the Salvation Army’s Christmas bell-ringing program and donations to causes such as Muscular Dystrophy and Special Olympics. Way said the class had received more than $1.1 million in scholarships. “You will be missed but not forgotten,” he stated.‘Your Dream Can Come True’ In her address to graduates, 2008 WHS alumna Robin Merritt recounted how she dreamed of “saving the whales,” and went on to work for the worldwide animal rights organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). “Believe in yourself,” said Merritt. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says. The dreams are yours, and they’re worth it. I’m here to tell you that no matter who you are or what your dream may be, if you give it your heart and soul, your dream can come true.” WHS Assistant Principal Lisa Pirrung presented class honors, beginning with the recognition of 80 A+ students who will receive tuition assistance for meeting academic, attendance, citizenship and unpaid tutoring criteria. Pirrung said that the Class of 2013 was the first to graduate under a three-tier cum laude system — cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude. Twenty-three students graduated Friday night with the cum laude distinction. Graduating summa cum laude, Melora Broker was honored for maintaining a 4.0 or higher grade point average, taking with her 10 scholarships. Inspiration and Joy The A Capella Choir “and senior friends” lent a melancholy tone with a flawless performance of the James Taylor composition, “That Lonesome Road” about life’s journey and this advice: “Don’t turn your head back over your shoulder.” “Foundry,” performed by the Warrenton High School Symphonic Band, could have been a nod to the forging of character that education has produced among Class of 2013. The percussion-centric piece was created to showcase the wide range of objects that can be used to create music, bringing an additional layer of joy to the occasion. More joy came in the middle of the diploma presentation ceremony as Carly Miller walked off the stage to see her boyfriend and classmate on bended knee, asking her to marry him. The proposal drew applause from the graduates and audience. Heading to the Dream Class speaker Haley Long picked up on Merritt’s topic of dreams to say she plans to pursue a career in foreign relations, a dream she has nurtured since fifth grade. “I hope your dreams take you to the heights of your hopes, to the corners of your smiles, and to the most special place your heart has ever known,” Long said. Second class speaker Chad Poole offered his classmates a 10-part prescription for managing the future. “Number one, have no fear for anything or anybody,” he said, following this with other serious and lighthearted observations he said have guided him through the past several years. With that and other advice, Fields said he hopes to head to the Pacific Northwest to pursue his dream of becoming a glassblower. Warrenton High School Graduation File Picture