McCurdy Pavilion at Fort Worden was packed Saturday, June 6 for Chimacum High School's Class of 2015 commencement.

The ceremony began with some laughs when Chimacum High School Principal Dr. Whitney Meissner forgot to tell the seniors they were allowed to sit. A few lines into her speech, she realized the students were still standing, quiet and respectful, and corrected her mistake, saying, "I have never done that before. Weren't they well-behaved, though?"

Meissner proceeded with her speech about gratitude, noting that she is grateful to work where her children go to school, grateful for the success of her students and grateful for feeling like a small part of helping kids through their teenage years.

"Take risks, make mistakes, and try not to get angry with the people who hold your feet to the fire," she advised.

The students weren't the only ones graduating, though.

"It's taken you about 13 years to graduate high school," Superintendent Rich Stewart said. "It's taken me 41 years. This is my last graduation." Stewart, who is retiring this year, went on to highlight some class accomplishments.

David Carthum was the student-elected faculty speaker and offered the class of 2015 some advice from the book "Mindset," by Carol Dweck. "I know we're in good hands with the class of 2015," Carthum concluded.

Meissner acknowledged scholarship recipients, students with departmental achievements, those who went above and beyond to serve their community, and those entering the military after graduation.

Then, the student speeches began. Alyssa Wolfe, faculty-elected student speaker, sported Superman socks and a Superman-themed cap as she took the podium and began with a quote from former New York City Mayor Edward Koch: “The fireworks begin today. Each diploma is a lighted match. Each one of you is a fuse.”

During her speech, she gave a shout-out to her mom for the letter she gets on the face of her brown paper bags every day. She also gave credit to her fellow graduates.

"Knowing every student in your class is a luxury only a handful of students have," Wolfe said, adding, "Because we all know each other so well in this small community, we have loved and supported each other through every bump in the road."

Wolfe concluded her speech with lyrics from Katy Perry's "Firework": "Baby you're a firework. Come on show them what you're worth." Before she could go back to her seat, though, her brothers rose from the front row and started for the stage. Wolfe had tears in her eyes as they presented her with a large necklace, holding a heart with the Washington State University Cougars logo.

Next, the class co-presidents Alyssa Hamilton and Kiersten Snyder stepped to the podium – pausing to take a selfie before their speech. The pair focused on the yearly changes from eighth grade to the moment on stage four years later, reflecting on moments like when Victor Hitt "poked de fish" at the Port Townsend Marine Science Center and the horror of seeing Brendon Naylor's legs in short shorts during Spirit Week.

Class-elected speaker Levi Clum followed with his speech "A Brighter Tomorrow," encouraging his classmates to make a difference and find their "own North Star."

"Our legacy is not expressed through how happy we made ourselves, but by the impacts we made in people's lives," Clum said. "Create a legacy for yourself that inspires others to serve."

Colton Shaw, class salutatorian, was a reluctant speaker, saying that he wished his teachers could have given him a few more A-minuses because this was the "last thing" he wanted to do. Nonetheless, he went on with his speech "Power to Choose," saying the future would not always be easy, but that "with each struggle we overcome, the better prepared we are for the next one."

Class valedictorian Orion Weller wrapped up the speeches by focusing on "the bright moments" to accompany the "blinding lights in his face." Some of those moments included spending a week at Mount St. Helens for sixth-grade camp, the "collective groans" of reading their first Shakespeare plays as freshmen, and teacher vs. student sports games.

Like many of the speakers, Weller ended his remarks with a quote, but his had a twist.

"Those who stay positive will find their lives happier, more meaningful, and full of hope," Weller said. "Don’t be like Stephen Colbert, who said that 'If life gives you lemons, make someone's paper cut really sting.' Instead, be the person who takes those lemons and makes orange juice, leaving the world wondering how you did it."

The 68 graduates crossed the stage, received their diplomas, and took a last group selfie before singing the alma mater and throwing their caps into the air. Then, the class of 2015 exited the pavilion while DJ Snake and Lil Jon's "Turn Down for What" blared from the speakers.