Edwardsburg High School honored 195 graduates during its commencement exercises Sunday afternoon.

In welcoming the Class of 2016, principal Jeffrey Leslie told them they had set the bar high.

This group of seniors achieved the highest ACT scores in school history in English, science, reading and composite scoring.

Salutatorian Allison Richcreek and co-valedictorians Jonathan Albrecht, Makayla Long, Zachary Plummer and Malary VanOverberghe all delivered speeches.

In her speech, Richcreek told her classmates to look to the future.

“Now that we have formed wonderful memories together here at Edwardsburg High School, we shouldn’t dwell on our past, but should look toward the life ahead of us,” she said.

Albrecht talked about his generation.

“The sad truth is that I am a part of a generation that has a much easier time making fun of someone than complimenting them, and for some reason, the former has become the ‘cool’ thing to do,” he said. “For the ‘cool kids’ who feel the need to tear people down, I have a few words. The person on the other end of a rude comment could be dealing with problems beyond your comprehension. The dirty clothes someone is wearing could be the only ones they can afford. The odd behavior you see from someone may be the result of a learning disability. The person crying in the hallway may be the child of divorcing parents. These people have enough problems as it is. That last thing they need, or deserve, is ridicule.

“In times of need, the power of a positive message is unimaginable. With this time I’ve been given to speak, I wanted to pass on a message that would continue beyond this ceremony. I want my message to be remembered even if I’m not remembered for giving it, because it is far more important.”

Long spoke about “organized chaos.”

“I want to talk about a phrase that can sum up both our class and high school experience,” she said. “It explains our dysfunctional, crazy, and outrageous attitudes, our rebellious moments and even our yellow slips we had in our hands after leaving the office once or twice or 10 times for some of you. The phrase that describes us is organized chaos.

“We are chaotic and confusing, We are crazy. We are rambunctious and rebellious. But surprisingly, we all made it here today.”

Plummer did not attend Edwardsburg his entire academic career. He came to Edwardsburg High School from Niles. He told his classmates that his life had forever changed thanks to that move.

“If someone told me four years ago that I would be standing in front of you at Edwardsburg High School, giving the valedictorian speech, I wouldn’t have believed you,” he said. “I was enrolled in Niles at the time and that’s where I thought I’d stay. But transferring to Edwardsburg has become the best decision of my life.”

He ended his speech looking toward another new beginning.

“We are all about to start the next chapter of our life and although it may not be together, we will always be tied to the small village of Edwardsburg,” Plummer said. “We will always bleed orange and blue. We will always be the Class of 2016. Thank you, everyone, for being my true friends.”

VanOverberghe was the final valedictorian to take the stage. She remembered being told her final year would be a piece of cake.

“It’s funny how they said senior year would be easy,” she said. “But there was nothing easy about endless college applications and scholarship essays, atop of all the stress of wrapping up our final year here. It’s crazy to think about how long some of us have known each other. Starting out freshmen four years ago. Sometimes I can’t remember how I got from freshman year to here, but then I’m grateful that freshman year will only continue to get farther away as I get older.”

Following the awarding of diplomas, Class of 2016 President Ben Robertson spoke to his classmates before asking them to turn their tassels.

“Today we are crossing the finish line of an adventure that began nearly 13 years ago,” he said. “During that time our parents, teachers and friends have helped us grow and develop into who we are today. I know that they are truly proud of our accomplishments and amazed by how we have changed.”

During commencement ceremonies, the Edwardsburg band played “Solas Ane” by Samuel Hazo, while the Edwardsburg choir perferformed “Prelude to Peace” by Randall Stroope.