COEUR d'ALENE - "We can take it with us, and we will."

In cardinal red cap and gown, Jenna Betts, president of North Idaho College's Class of 2011 student association, spoke to her fellow graduates during this year's commencement ceremony held Friday on the community college campus.

Betts explained to her peers why the phrase, "You can't take it with you," doesn't apply to them.

"We are the ones that read the books, wrote the papers, gave the speeches, dissected the pig, wrote the recipe, started the engine, engaged the opponents, applied the formula, created the secret parking spot, did the job, rocked the challenge, and sacrificed texting one class at a time," Betts said. "We have been infused with the power to impact the future - by each other, by our instructors, and by each and every NIC community member. Therefore, NIC graduating class of 2011, when we leave campus today, we take it with us."

A capacity crowd filled NIC's Christianson Gym for the commencement ceremony attended by 400 of the 900 students eligible for graduation from NIC this semester.

As the students soon-to-become-alumni filed into the gymnasium, the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" were punctuated by cheers and clapping.

Families and friends whooped, waved and blew kisses to the students as they later crossed the stage to receive their certificates.

Robyn Weiss sat in the audience with a group of family members who stood up and cheered for two different graduates, Joel Weyant and Carol Pearcy.

"It's a mother and a son," Weiss explained. "My sister went back to school. She's 45. She graduated with honors. The family is very proud of both of them."

NIC President Priscilla Bell told the graduates that although pride sometimes has negative connotations, the kind of pride they experience as they graduate should be relished and held on to.

"Today, you start to write the narrative of your future," Bell said. "I challenge you to create a narrative that will make you proud. If you follow this simple narrative, your narrative will be a true success story."

Before the ceremony began, Debbie Morris hugged one of her daughters on the sidewalk in front of Christianson Gym.

Morris' younger daughter, Missy, 17, a dual-enrolled high school student, was about to graduate from NIC, before her high school graduation in June.

"It's been an amazing journey," Morris said. "I'm very proud of her. I can't believe she's been able to do this."