Barbara Lawlor, Nederland. In white gowns with gold trim, 34 Nederland High School seniors paraded through the standing array of applauding fans who cheered and shot pictures as the graduates walked the traditional processional aisle to the stage in the gym. It was time.

Now was the hour. At 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, these students switched their tassels from one side of their caps to the other; and in doing so, the journey of their lives changed direction. It continues forward, but its singularly straight path suddenly sprouted many intersections – myriad choices with limitless opportunities and random challenges.

It was time to move on, armed with the life lesson weapons and gifts that had been bestowed upon them for the past 18 years by their families, their teachers and their community.

As they wended their way to their seats, senior musicians Mackenzie Radandt and James McNamara provided instrumental music, followed by the award-winning Loquations opening the ceremony with “The Star Spangled Banner.”

NMSHS principal Adam Fels told the seniors, “You are my first graduating class since I became principal and you taught me how to lead my school. You taught me the traditions we needed to keep and the changes we should not make. You have the unique ability to be the 21st century rainmakers. You created REACH and you performed CATS. You have created pride for our school community. Continue to be rainmakers outside high school and imagine all the possibilities. You have the ability to rally like no other group I’ve ever seen. You have a pattern of follow through and came through consistently.”

A trio of seniors, Ben Rubio, Gillian Nasty, and Brianna Lindstrom coaxed a few tears with their heartfelt version of “Heal Over,” and Dante Pasionek addressed his classmates with his speech, “Pirates.”

He told them it was time to do something scary, saying fear only holds us back. “Don’t follow anyone else’s path unless you are in the woods and lost, then follow the path. Be yourself, unless you can be a pirate –  then be a pirate.”

Principal Fels and Counselor Aly Shambo presented the annual awards. The Friend of Nederland High School went to Laurie Roberts, who took on any task asked of her and always does what is needed at any time.

The Senior Who Makes a Difference Award went to Dante Pasionek who “makes the building a better place and creates a world we want to live in.”

The Jerry Buck Scholarship Award of $500 went to Reyna Revelle, a well-rounded individual who doesn’t settle for just good enough. She is the extreme of school spirit and has always been NHS’s biggest fan.

This year’s commencement speaker was Troy Tewalt, former teacher and long-time soccer coach. He recounted speeches at other graduations: Ellen Degeneres said, “You don’t need to go to college to be successful.” The Navy Seals speaker told the graduates to make sure to make their bed every day.

Tewalt said the one thing that everyone has in common is their relationships, the way they treat other people. “When there is no sunshine, make your own sunshine, and exercise is always the key. Show people, don’t tell them, how good you are. The person you spend the most time with is yourself, learn to love yourself.”

Tewalt received a standing ovation. He reminded the graduates that about half of them had been together since kindergarten and he had spent time with them since they were in sixth grade.

When the diplomas were handed out, when the lights turned on after the slide show and the caps were tossed into the air, it was time to hug a graduate, eat some cake, and let them be on their way, well-equipped to take the next step on their divergent paths.