Class of 2015: Cary-Grove graduates 440 students with laughs, advice

CARY – The names were called, photos were taken and the principal wore a feather boa, "rock star" sunglasses and a tiara while giving the graduates some parting advice in the form of a David Letterman-style list.

Cary-Grove High School graduated 440 students at its commencement ceremony Saturday morning, a celebration that emphasized the school's strong academic achievements as well as the success of its various sports teams and service, academic and fine arts clubs and organizations.

"Our generation has become known for our technological obsessions and high Snapchat scores, though underneath all of this is something much more powerful," valedictorian Tara Cornwell said.

"We will be the generation to find cures for the terminal illnesses that have touched down in our own community. We will be the generation to finally reach equality for all races, genders, sexualities and beliefs that face the ugliness of discrimination in our society today. We will be the generation in charge of this powerful country within just a few years – not to scare any parents out there."

[ PHOTOS: 2015 Cary-Grove High School graduation ]

The speeches also recognized some of the people that helped the graduates along their way: teachers, parents, grandparents and a few others highlighted by the class salutatorian, Matthew Havard.

"First the person that pushed you to be your best at all times, the person you could always count on, the person you would walk to class with every day, the person who would always say hi to you in the hallway, the friend who could teach you something when you just didn't get it, the people whose mere presence helped you tolerate that one class that you absolutely hated, the wonderful person who offered to put your Chromebook away and finally above all else, the person who actually let you in line in the parking lot," Havard said.

The last four years have been a time of growth and change, graduate Anders Stadler said after the ceremony. The 18-year-old Cary resident started his high school career playing sports, ended in the theater department and is heading to Illinois State University to study history and – he hopes – return to Cary-Grove as a history teacher.

Stadler remembers walking into Cary-Grove on the first day of his senior year and realizing this was his last chance to do everything he wanted, and Saturday, as he walked out of Cary-Grove a graduate, he didn't have any regrets.

"I feel fantastic, excited and scared for the future," he said. "Mostly excited."