BUCHANAN — As part of his commencement speech, Lucas Bonek, one of two valedictorians in the Buchanan High School Class of 2016, spoke to his classmates about the three main lessons he learned during his time at Buchanan High School.

The first, he said, was that teamwork could be the difference between success and failure. The second was that failure is necessary for success and the third was that there is no substitute for hard work.

He thanked his classmates, administrators, family and friends for helping him get to where he is today. He plans on studying computer engineering at Western Michigan University in the fall.

“Although we have all cut corners, every graduate here knows the value of hard work and you are all sitting here tonight because of it,” Bonek said.

“I think we can all agree it has been a truly life-changing journey as we have grown in ourselves and as a class.”

Bonek was one of 106 students who received their diplomas Friday as part of Buchanan’s 139th graduating class. The ceremony took place on the track at Memorial Stadium in front of bleachers packed full of family and friends.

The graduation broke the tradition of hosting the ceremony on a Sunday — one of many things that made the Class of 2016 unique, according to graduate Kaitlyn Ward.

In her speech, Ward pointed out that they were the first class to have eighth grade at the high school building instead of the middle school building. They were also the first class to be responsible for a mercury spill at the high school.

“The Class of 2016 has never been one to follow the guidelines and play it safe,” she said. “We are the class that creates the rules and standards for others to follow.”

Supt. Andrea van der Laan described the class as a fun loving group of students. She said she has enjoyed seeing them transform from young students into wonderful adults.

“As your superintendent, I couldn’t be prouder,” she said.

The class included three people — Bonek, Jordan Enders and Josiah Smith — who earned associate’s degrees from Lake Michigan College while still in high school.

Bonek and Sydney Hildebrandt both share the honor of graduating at the top of their class.

Keiran Baginske, Alexander Lindamood, Chyanne Prentice and Peyton Ritchie were class salutatorians.