BETHEL – Friends and family gathered in a field of wild strawberries and pale blue forget-me-nots Friday night to watch members of the Telstar Regional High School class of 2003 receive their diplomas.

Before being led in by class marshals Alanna Borst and Peter Poor, the 65 soon-to-be graduates presented roses to their parents and grandparents who had supported them throughout their high school careers.

Kristina Koskela led her classmates in singing the national anthem. Later in the evening, the class joined in song once again, this time wholeheartedly crooning Queen’s, “We are the Champions,” to the applause and laughter of those in attendance.

Graduating with third honors, Lauren Hart compared herself and her classmates to lobsters. “The shedding of its shell is a risk lobsters must take to grow,” she said. “As seniors, our shells are too tight.”

She reminded her classmates that in order to go on to success, they must take the risks that come with leaving their comfortable, safe surroundings.

Salutatorian John Reuter echoed this sentiment in urging his classmates to rise above their surroundings. “Your life is your testimony,” he said. “Use this opportunity to go out and live life well.”

Reuter concluded, “To my fellow students, I wish you the best. To parents, I thank you. To everyone else, be sure to recycle. It’s really important.”

In her valedictory speech, Sarah Gamble expressed the difficulty she had in summing up all of her feelings.

“Each of you has someone in this audience who can give you better advice than I can.” Unable to find inspiration in a poem or time-worn adage, she told the graduating class simply “We did a good job. You’ve already accomplished something great. There’s no stopping you.”

She advised classmates to remember when faced with opposition that “we have prepared ourselves well for the tasks that lie ahead of us. Don’t hesitate, just go for it.”

Class advisor Charles Raymond confirmed Gamble’s remarks, telling seniors “You’ve been trained to think for yourself and to defend your ideas. Trust yourself. You are ready to take on the world.”

As the setting sun began to turn the clouds overhead shades of pink and gray, Superintendent of Schools David W. Murphy certified the class as graduates.

Principal Shawn L. Lambert then presented diplomas.