AUBURN — Scores of families and friends took to the Edward Little High School football field Saturday night to watch the new campus’ first graduation ceremony.

The class of 2024, some 258 seniors in all, heard the last of its school elders’ and classmates’ words of wisdom before heading off to the workforce, college, military or some unique spin on the “new.”

Among them were class president Joe Martel and salutatorian Evan O’Donnell. Principal Scott Annear took to the podium as well as Superintendent Cornelia Brown who, like the class of 2024, is finishing out her last year on the job at EL.

With his daughter Delaney among the seniors awaiting their diplomas, Annear said he would be before the podium less as a principal and more as a parent, community member and alumni.

Perhaps more for the parents than for the graduates-to-be, Annear recalled all the important moments of the scholastic journey: letting go of a child’s hand on the first day of school, making the first of many friends, the sorrow of losing friends, the “tears of great challenges faced” and all the senses of accomplishment that come with success.

Annear said the greatest quality graduates should continue developing on their journeys ahead is humility for its “(embodiment) of giving and receiving care to yourself and others.”

“As you cross this stage, remember, you are not alone,” Annear said. “You, your friends and families have enjoyed every single moment to get here … Each of you has demonstrated the qualities that it takes to be a Red Eddie; determination, focus, empathy, humility, academic achievement, courage and commitment. Never forget these qualities. They have a way of being part of your life as you move forward.”

O’Donnell said it was music that changed his view on accepting the “new.” Knowing he had a deep love for music as a kid, the prospect of picking up an instrument was unthinkable at first, he said. Scared he would be so awful no one could bear to hear him play, O’Donnell said he never asked his parents to buy one.

Yet, they bought him a kid-sized guitar and lessons for his birthday one year after noticing his love for music classes at Fairview Elementary School and enthusiasm humming along to tunes in the car.

“Receiving that guitar was an opportunity … to start a lifetime relationship with music,” O’Donnell said. “Most opportunities require you to go out and find them. Some may only be available temporarily. When this happens, you must take the risk and play along with what life gives you.”

Brown urged graduates to embrace curiosity and cultivate kindness and to never underestimate the power of perseverance.

“I encourage you to never forget the importance of giving back to your community and lifting others as you climb,” Brown said. “As you chart your own course, remember those who have supported you along the way and pay it forward by being a source of inspiration and support for others.”

Martel spoke to his classmates before leading them in shifting their tassels. He said the past four years enduring the grind for good grades has made good students out of many, but the true journey to becoming a good person happens in so many places.

“Building a good person starts everywhere else, too,” Martel said. “We learn at our jobs, on sports fields, while hanging with our family and even when on the golf course with friends. It’s moments like those that truly define who you are as a person, not your pre-cal grade from sophomore year. Instead it’s what you do when you’re at your happiest.”

Martel said this looks different from person to person. Whatever happiness is for a person, it’s something they need to hold onto and remember as they move forward in their life’s journey, he said.

“No matter what you choose to do next year I promise it’ll be a whole lot more enjoyable if you’re able to still find ways and time for all of the things that truly make you happy in life and continue doing those things,” Martel said. “So, as we move on from these last four years of hard work and fun, let’s turn our tassels to a lifetime of a lot more fun and enjoyment. Roll Eds!”