The class of 2017 celebrating their status as graduates with silly string, streamers and confetti.

WARSAW — The Tiger Den at Warsaw Community High School was packed as parents, family and friends watched students cross the stage last night, June 9, during the high school’s 2017 commencement.

School principal Troy Akers welcomed the crowd and thanked the teachers, administrators and officers that are retiring. He then addressed the class sitting in front of him.

“This year’s been a wonderful year. Outstanding academic achievements, incredible extracurricular and co-curricular performances, and simply feats of braveness from the class of 2017,” Akers told the class.

Class president Hunter Haines addressed the crowd following Akers, focusing on appreciating the support of family and friends. “We have all struggled to get to where we are, right here and now,” said Haines before asking the students to look around at all the people who have supported and encouraged them. “Give thanks to the ones that supported you.”

Lauren Orr, salutatorian, followed. Orr’s salutatory speech focused on how the challenges of high school, and the mistakes teens make, help teach lessons. “Bad experiences help us learn what we don’t like…and they lead us to become better people…today we’re going to celebrate all of our experiences, the good and the bad.”

Brayden Sammons gave this year’s commencement speech, encouraging his fellow classmates to be themselves. “It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not,” a quote by Andre Gide was the class motto.

“Now is the opportunity to be who you are. Start fresh…Each and every one of you are amazing in your own unique way,” said Sammons.

Sammons learned self-love through a difficult path, finding his way through depression and losing over 130 pounds between his sophomore and senior year. “I was scared and I was afraid,” said Sammons, explaining how he would put on a mask rather than tell me what he was struggling with. After Sammons opened up to his close friends, “they accepted me and, in turn, I accepted myself.”

“The most courageous thing that you can do is be yourself and stay true to yourself,” said Sammons. “Be you.”

Valedictorian Allison Miller gave the final student speech regarding the many emotions her classmates may be feeling. Scared. Excited. Overwhelmed. Miller encouraged her class to show encouragement, patience and understanding, and to be honest with the emotions they are feeling. “Emotions say much more about a person than any other conversation,” said Miller.

Warsaw School’s Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert concluded with: “We hope that many of you will decide to eventually return home…but we know that even if you’ve decided to end up on the other side of the world, we will be proud to call you one of our own…Best wishes, safe journey and congratulations on a job well done.”

Around 500 students received their diploma.