FARMINGTON – With wide smiles on their faces and diplomas in their hands, the Mount Blue High School class of 2004 took the next step into the future at their graduation Saturday night.

This year’s graduating class had many reasons to boast, but nothing could compare to the record-setting percentage of students continuing their education. With 78 percent of them choosing to enroll in post-secondary education, this year’s class of 236 students has gone well beyond expectation.

Friends and family packed themselves on the football field in the cool night air, while many others filled the bleachers for the 36th commencement.

Senior class president James Cote welcomed the crowd with an appropriate speech on the bright future ahead. “Graduation represents a coming of age – a right of passage,” said Cote. “This is not only a time to celebrate all the hard work that we have done, but also a time to begin exploring the next chapter in our lives.”

Beach balls flew through the air as the night saw various speakers and several musical performances. Class speakers Nikki Alexander and Beth Brown shared some of their small regrets from their high school days, but also welcomed the many upcoming changes with open arms. “Never take no for an answer, live for your dreams, create precious memories and always look into the future instead of the past,” said Alexander and Brown.

Valedictorian Sara Carter treated the audience with “little pearls of wisdom” she gathered from those more experienced than her. “It’s what you do with time and with all the goodness and grace that’s inside of you,” said Carter. Carter plans to attend Quinnipiac University in the fall while Salutatorian Marcie Flagg looks forward to the University of Rhode Island.

One of the highlights of the evening came from the senior band, which performed the song “Closing Time” written by Semisonic. The band jammed on for what seemed like forever, but no one seemed to mind a little rock and roll music.

Principal Gregory Potter jokingly apologized for going over the two minute limit for his speech, but also took time to pay respects to President Reagan. After a moment of silence, Potter then turned his attention to the graduating class. “No matter what your plans after graduation are, be life-long learners,” said Potter. “Travel to explore new places and meet new people.”

After a fun performance of the theme from the hit sitcom “Friends” by the senior vocal ensemble, diplomas were distributed and tassels were turned. After a tossing of caps, the graduates stepped into the chilly summer night with their future ahead of them and many more memories to come.

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