EDWARDSBURG — On Sunday, it was still 30 minutes before the Edwardsburg High School commencement ceremony and the parking lot was already filled with vehicles. Almost no parking spaces were open, so people began to find a spots on the grass throughout the middle school and high school campus. It was so crowded that some vehicles were boxed in.

Not a seat was empty inside the main gym, where the ceremony was to take place. The lights were dim, as people waited to see the Edwardsburg High School class of 2018 walk in.

The graduating seniors entered the gym two by two under an arch of blue and orange balloons.

Ryan Markel, the principal of the high school, took the podium first.

“I am honored to be standing before you today on this very special occasion,” Markel said. “On behalf of the members of the board of education, our superintendent, Mr. Ostrander and faculty and staff at Edwardsburg Public Schools, I would like to welcome you to our commencement ceremony for the Edwardsburg High School class of 2018.”

One by one, Markel then introduced the five co-salutatorians, who each gave minute-long speeches. They each finished their high school careers with a 3.99 GPA.

The first salutatorian to speak was Amber Barnosky, who reflected on here time in Edwardsburg Public Schools and how that will impact her and her classmates in the future.

“We have created a plethora of yesterdays that make tomorrow possible,” Barnosky said.

Next was Reagan Blue, who expressed her understanding of how people can only control so much.

“The most important thing is to take advantage of the opportunities we’re given,” Blue said.

Kailee Claire started her speech by thanking her family, friends and teachers. She then told everyone how her Edwardsburg experiences would always be with her.

Allison Rakowski’s speech focused on the jubilation of the moment, and how it can continue after high school.

“The happiness and spontaneity we feel now doesn’t have to end,” Rakowski said

The final co-salutatorian to speak was Jasmine Sindelar, the vice president of the National Honor Society, who talked about preserving whether things went someone’s way or not.

“We have to choose to make the best [of things], Sindelar said.

Once all of the salutatorian speech were complete, Markel introduced the six co-valedictorians, who also gave minute-long speeches. They each finished their high school careers with a 4.0 GPA.

The first co-valedictorian so speak was Caitlyn Bogunia, who realized an important lesson during her time at Edwardsburg.

“Over the last four years, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that life is what you make of it,” Bogunia said.

Robert Clark, a National Merit Scholarship winner. He talked about his struggle to always try to be perfect even though that is impossible.

“It’s taken me 17 years to enjoy my imperfections,” Clark said.

Lynsee Ludwick expressed how important the Edwardsburg community is to her, and how much it gave.

“The bigger part I played in this community, the bigger part it played in me,” Ludwick said.

Taking the stage next was Ann Marks. As a student in Edwardsburg Public Schools, she realized how important it is to be true to oneself.

“We found out the hard way it’s impossible to become anyone but who you are,” Marks said.

The crowd cheered extra loud when Ryan Pabreza walked on the stage. His house caught on fire recently and he lost many of his possessions in the process. He told the audience how supportive the community was to him and his family. People he did not know came up to him to show support or gave him items, such as clothes and food.

Most of all, he wanted to thank those who raised him, and encouraged the other graduates to do the same.

“I want you to thank your families, as they’ve supported us and given us everything since the day we were born,” Pabreza said.

The final co-salutatorian to speak was Hope Walls, who reflected on what her and her classmate were accomplishing that day.

“With all that said, congratulations to the class of 2018,” Walls said. “We did it.”

Following the speeches, the senior members of the choir sang “The Song of Purple Summer,” before Markel presented the class to the superintendent. The class of 2018 then received their diplomas from the Birdella Holdread, the school board president, shook the hands of Sherman Ostrander, the superintendent in his final year, and posed for a picture with Markel.

The last speaker of the day was the senior class president, Luke Smous.

“It’s amazing to see what this small town can accomplish when we all come together,” Smous said.

The graduates were then instructed to turn their tassels, marking the end of their high school careers.