COEUR d'ALENE - The long-awaited day finally arrived.

More than 400 students celebrated the culmination of all their hard work as they crossed the stage in the Christianson Gymnasium on Friday morning, becoming North Idaho College's graduating class of 2014.

Benaiah Cheevers, president of the Associated Students of NIC (ASNIC), delivered the student body address to the excited grads, clad in cardinal-red gowns and mortarboard caps with dangling tassels.

"There are many issues that we as students face today," Cheevers said. "Many of us have faced the reality of difficult financial situations. Many of us have faced the reality of the fear of failure. Many of us have probably had to overcome circumstances of family problems, job problems and even mistakes in the past that sometimes come back to haunt us ... I say this because we are here today, and it celebrates more than just the achievement of a graduation."

Cheevers asked the graduates to think about what they value, what motivates them, in whom they place their hope and where they find their strength.

"Don't hesitate to dream into the future," he said. "Transitions for all of us are awaiting tomorrow. We'll have a blank page to fill to begin the next chapter of our lives."

Stephanie House and her colleague, Trisha Madsen, cheered for the grads as they marched from Schuler Auditorium into the packed gym. Madsen held up a handmade sign for her coworker, Brandon Mason, who was walking in the ceremony.

"Brandon's really amazing," Madsen said. "He's a veteran, he's in the Army, went to school full time and has three kids and a wife."

House nodded, adding that the commencement ceremony is a big day for NIC.

"It's a different feel on campus, for sure," said House, who works in the financial aid department. "Everybody's happy and excited for the graduates."

NIC music instructor Max Mendez delivered the commencement address, a task which he said was challenging, but also an honor and a privilege. He shared a story about his own educational experience at a community college.

"I did not realize the gift that I was given," he said. "My community college experience enabled me the ability to explore what was possible for my future. And little did I know that in my first week I would wander into a choir, and find my community."

He explained how his time at community college led him to discover music and learn about life through music. The musically inclined Mendez wore a broad smile as he encouraged the graduates to have the courage to "be community," which he said allows a person to find others with similar dreams while walking a shared path.

"The courage to 'be community' means we can act as mentors while being mentored ourselves through others," he said. "The courage to be community means we can serve others according to our strengths and talents."

Spring semester at NIC ended May 15. Registration for non-degree seeking students for fall semester begins June 2, which is also when summer session begins.

Info: www.nic.edu.