RUMFORD — Shawna Virgin felt a great sense of relief when she finished the recessional march after the Mountain Valley High School graduation Thursday night.

“I was stressed until I got my diploma,” the Rumford honors student said. “Now, I’m ready for college.”

Megean Bourgeosis told the parents and friends packed into Puiia Gymnasium that her class’s high school experience transformed every one of her classmates.

“I realized how much our small towns meant to us as we grew older,” she said.

Class President Zachary Taylor said the whole graduation scene was surreal.

“Twelve years have passed and now we’re young men and women ready to go out into the real world. We’re one entity,” he said.

As she was lining up to march into the gym, Novella Harris of Rumford said she was sad about graduation but had already cried. She wasn’t going to do it again. She hopes to attend Central Maine Community College in the fall to study early childhood education.

As Principal Matt Gilbert was giving final instructions for the processional, Sabrina McPherson said she couldn’t believe how fast her high school years passed.

“I met some of my best friends here, friends that I will have for life,” she said.

David Widger, who plans to study game design at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale next fall, liked the graduation experience.

“Graduation is something that will stay with everyone for the rest of their lives,” he said.

Assistant Principal Chris Decker read each name, then senior adviser Chris Carver handed each student his or her diploma, followed by handshakes from Gilbert, Superintendent Tom Ward, RSU 10 board Chairman Jerry Wiley and RSU 10 board Vice Chairman Bruce Ross. Each staff member and student wore a pin picturing classmate Danny Garneau, who died a year ago after fighting a long battle with leukemia.

Some girls wore high-topped sneakers, some wore flip-flops, while others donned high heels or fancy sandals. Most of the boys wore sneakers while a few stuck with dress shoes.

Once the graduates had a chance for pictures with family and friends, they were whisked off to the Waterville YMCA for a night of friendship and togetherness.

MVHS graduated 103 students, the smallest number since the Rumford School Department and the former SAD 43 merged in 1989, Carver said.

He said a few more may complete graduation requirements during summer school.

Graduation classes are expected to level off, after a period of decline, in 2013, he said.