TOPSHAM — The speakers at Lisbon High School’s graduation exercises found a variety of ways to convey messages of encouragement to the 78 members of the Class of 2013.

In his address, Aaron Halls, class vice president, emphasized the importance of “invisible bonds” that developed through the school years and connected students to each other and to their teachers in surprising ways.

At first, freshmen came into what seemed to be “a strange land,” he said, and at times that magical place took on some “nightmarish” characteristics as students moved along the way to their graduation day.

“The sense of wonder has gone and the moment has arrived” when they will test their ability to “accomplish great things as a whole,” he said.

Halls told his classmates, “We still have the shared experiences, the invisible bonds, which will always link us together.”

Kayla Angelico, class treasurer, compared the graduates’ challenges in the future with a game of soccer.

“Once united, always united,” she said, noting lessons of life that could be found in soccer.

“It’s like taking the ball down the field, taking a shot and missing,” she said, emphasizing that decisions have to be made on the course to be followed.

“You can go through the obstacles or go around them, but you must keep on trying,” Angelico said.

Ryan Brewer, class president, told the seniors to always remember, look back and enjoy the days at Lisbon High School.

“Never look back and wonder what might have been,” he said. “When you have the opportunity to change something, do it.”

Keynote speaker for the graduation ceremony was Ryan Keith, assistant principal of Richmond elementary, middle and high schools. He noted that he had been a part of the academic years of most of the graduating seniors, and he acknowledged that he understood how school experiences had ranged “from exhilarating to terrifying.”

Keith offered several points of advice.

“Be proud of who you are, where you are from and what you do,” he said, adding that “history is made by ordinary people.”

He told the graduates they should ask for help when they need it, be compassionate because compassion will be reflected back on them, be honest, take a courageous path and be curious.

He also urged them to always value “that spark you get when you see something new.”

The Class of 2013 officers announced the legacy gift, explaining that rather than presenting a single donation the class had decided to pass along “26 Random Acts of Kindness” in memory of the 26 lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., a few months ago. Among those acts were monetary gifts to the incoming class of Lisbon High School freshmen and a donation to Special Olympics.

Sybill Brewer, class advisor, also was honored by the school’s graduates.

Zachary J. Longyear, assistant principal and activities director, presented the closing remarks. He commented on the current significance of social media connectivity, suggesting that people seem to think “everything we need to know is under our thumbs.”

We live in a connected world, “but we are isolated from each other,” he said.

“it is time to re-examine our connectivity and re-think how you will use your connectivity.”

Diplomas were presented by Richard Green, superintendent of schools, and Kenneth J. Healey, principal.

Musical numbers were performed by the Lisbon High School and Phillip W. Sugg Middle School bands and chorus.

The Orion Performing Arts Center at Mt. Ararat Middle School, Topsham, was chosen as the graduation location, and the air-conditioned space was a welcome venue for the crowd of family members and friends. It was announced that plans to build auditorium facilities at the school in Lisbon are expected when Lisbon High School renovation bonds are paid off.