Even though the seats weren’t completely filled, the St. Ignatius High School gym was bursting at the seams with excitement Saturday afternoon as 25 seniors said goodbye to a community they have grown to love.

“Holy buckets I never thought this day would come,” Salutatorian Sara Nerby said.

Nerby wanted classmates to be mindful and know that life is a series of moments, so make the best of each moment. Never forget these moments because you can never relive them, she said.

Co-valedictorian Loren Erickson hopes the Class of 2013 never forgets their dreams and doesn’t let anything get in the way of achieving those goals.

“If you want something, go get it. Period,” she said.

Nick Johnson, a co-valedictorian, told graduates not to fear their own power with Marianne Williamson’s famous “Our Deepest Fear” quote.

“We are all meant to shine,” Johnson said.

Guest speaker Ben Corral addressed the audience in his speech, assuring them that the students they love would do great things in the world. They are the next generation of what is coming, he said. Hailing from a small town has given them qualities other young adults from urban areas lack, he said.

“The respect they have for one another is what they will carry,” Corral said.

Athletic director Rich Ferris awarded the Outstanding Senior Athlete awards to Paden Alexander, Loren Erickson and Stephanie Lewandowski. All three will be attending college on athletic scholarships.

The grand total of scholarships awarded to the class of 2013 was $1,138,598.