LEWISTON – Minutes before marching into the Androscoggin Bank Colisee with others in Lewiston High School’s graduating class Friday night, Hope Pizzi, Caitlin Rider and Warren Whyles stood waiting in their caps and gowns.

“I’m excited. I worked hard to get here,” said Whyles, standing next to his brother, Shawn.

Rider and Pizzi were all smiles, but nervous.

Pizzi had “butterflies.”

“I never really believed this day would come,” Rider said. “It’s crazy … I’m losing a lot of friends I won’t be able to see. But it’s good.”

This fall she’ll be off to college attending the University of Maine in Orono.

Rider has plenty of company.

Of the 222 who graduated Friday night from Lewiston High School, 86 percent are continuing their education at two- or four-year schools, colleges or universities. That’s the highest percentage in the history of the school, and it’s up dramatically from eight years ago when about 50 percent continued their education beyond high school.

“That’s outstanding,” Principal Gus LeBlanc bragged of the new statistic during the graduation ceremony.

The seniors agreed, responding with cheers and applause.

Another 37 graduates will pursue work or their own dreams. Another five will serve in the U.S. armed forces.

LeBlanc, who just finished his first year as principal, said last fall he told the seniors they would set the tone for the year. It could be negative or positive. They were positive, he said.

“You exceeded my expectations,” LeBlanc said.

More applause.

Senior Class President Matthew Gutshall recalled how, four years ago, the class walked through the doors as short, obnoxious freshmen. Now they’re taller, suave seniors. He credited his class with braving new challenges.

In their freshmen year, “We took second place in the competition for spirit week, unheard of for freshmen.” They would have taken first had the competition “not been rigged for the seniors,” he said. As sophomores, they took part in the first battle-of-the-bridges homecoming parade. Seniors took first, but they placed second.

As juniors they ran one of the best proms ever, Gutshall bragged. As they were preparing for their senior year, they tragically lost two members of their class, Nick Babcock and Teisha Loesberg, along with underclassman Shannon Fortier. The Junior ROTC cadets, along with a Cessna pilot, died when their plane crashed during training on June 22 near Sunday River in Newry. Gutshall asked for a moment of silence for their lost classmates.

Afterward, he wished his classmates good luck: “Remember, take everything that comes to you. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Complete the task at hand, but complete it with pride.”

Valedictorian Rachel Spilecki said graduation is when they become adults by society’s standards. Each has overcome hardships and enjoyed good times. “There will be many more good times to come,” Spilecki said. “It just all depends on us, our attitudes toward life and our choices.”

Salutatorian Danielle Dubuc described the class as innovative. For instance, the class decided not to have a “typical, boring guest speaker.” Instead the main event was a slide show featuring them.

To songs like “I’ll Be There For You” and “Time of Your Life,” seniors took delight in watching hundreds of pictures of themselves. Each senior was shown at least twice. Scenes included students wearing hockey and football jerseys during games, tuxedos and gowns at the prom, and jeans and shirts in class.

Finally, the moment that everyone was waiting for arrived.

As names were called, each senior was handed a diploma. The audience applauded and cheered.