(Photo submitted by John Clouse) Ruthven-Ayrshire School Counselor Connie Larson presented Liz Loring, one of 26 seniors from the class of 2008, with an academic award during Sunday's graduation ceremony held in the Ruthven-Ayrshire High School gymnasium.

Family members and friends joined Ruthven-Ayrshire High School faculty and administration Sunday afternoon to celebrate commencement exercises for the senior class of 2008. Twenty-six students were handed diplomas and shifted tassels -- marking the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.

After being welcomed by Superintendent Ervin "Erv" Rowlands and hearing a musical selection performed by the mixed chorus, seniors Shea Hemmingsen and Melissa Meyer offered an account detailing each of the graduates' plans for the upcoming year.

Next, school counselor Connie Larson awarded several honors, senior Lynn Geelan was presented with the Iowa Bar Association Citizenship Award, and classmates Alyssa Hawley and Chelsea Zaragoza dedicated the annual to Mary Grange during commencement exercises held in the Ruthven-Ayrshire High School gymnasium.

Alyssa Hawley began her address Sunday afternoon by telling those in attendance, "The freedom from high school is something my classmates and I have longed for. Today, that dream is finally coming true."

The class salutatorian thanked family, teachers, coaches, administrators, community members and friends who had helped them along the way. The graduating senior also noted the wave of emotions being experienced by herself and her classmates as they anticipated walking the stage and receiving their diplomas.

"We are both happy and sad because this day is finally here. We have achieved our goals and are soon leaving everything we know," Hawley said.

"Our class motto is taken from the words of Muhammad Ali: 'He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life,'" she continued. "This quote challenges us to take risks. Graduating from high school and moving out on our own seems to be a great risk for many of us. We also know that we must take that fearful jump into adulthood. I believe that the 26 of us are more than ready to make that jump. ... To the graduating class of 2008, congratulations!"

As Andrew Rowlands took the podium to address his graduating peers, he reminisced about their journey over the past 13 years.

"All of us traveled on a journey through our school lives to this day. Some are happy, maybe even ecstatic that this day is finally here. We look forward to life after high school and starting a new phase. Whether it's college or work, we will be on our own. We will be independent. Some might be dreading this day because being here is safe and reliable. ... After today, things will not be handed or supplied to us; we will have to go get them," he confided.

As Rowlands concluded his address, Ruthven-Ayrshire's class of 2008 valedictorian told his graduating peers, "Our 13-year era at Ruthven-Ayrshire has ended. As you look at our graduating class today, you can see just how different we all are. Among us are athletes, singers, artists, outdoorsmen, a guitarist, a skateboarder and a poet, among many other things.

"But, there is one thing that is the same, one thing that we all have in common: We are the Ruthven-Ayrshire graduating class of 2008. And we will always be that. I want to thank my class for making those 13 years here such an enjoyable and unforgettable time."

Following the students' commencement addresses, the 26 seniors were presented their diplomas. An emotional rose ceremony in which each of the graduates presented a rose to their parents concluded the afternoon's ceremony.