Family and friends packed the bleachers in the Brandywine gym, 1830 S. Third St., as the high school graduated 81 students at Sunday’s 2 p.m. ceremony.

Before the graduates turned their tassels, tossed their caps and celebrated their new status as alumni, graduation speakers reflected on their time at Brandywine and gave the students advice for the future.

Jarpe, who is retiring this year, gave the keynote address. In his opening remarks, he thanked parents and staff for getting the students to graduation and advised graduates to be good citizens as they enter the real world.

“The other wonderful trait about the good people of Brandywine is that they were and are genuine, real people,” Jarpe said. “I hope we’ve taught it to you. Graduation speeches are supposed to give you advice, and that’s the advice to take from me today — be real and genuine with people and pay attention to people skills.”

Student speakers followed a similar theme by thanking those who had helped them and looking toward the future, while recalling fond memories of high school.

Valedictorians Laura Flanigan, Lukas Rollinger and Michael Stowe spoke first, followed by salutatorian Kimberly Cantu.

All the student speakers started their speeches by thanking not only their family and teachers, but their fellow classmates.

“Today is a day for celebration,” Flanigan began her speech. “We have grown so much as a group, and now we are going out into the real world.”

Flanigan thanked all her fellow classmates, and said that while many of them may lose touch or never see each other again, the lessons they have learned from each other will stick with them for years to come.

“When I look out here, I see the future,” Flanigan said. “I’m so proud to be a part of that.”

After starting his speech with a round of thank-yous, Rollinger encouraged graduates to be bold and take risks with their lives beyond high school.

“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for,” Rollinger, said quoting John A. Shedd. “We are like ships in harbor, because we’ve been in the shelter of home and school for the last 13 years. We are now ready to leave the harbor. We are all moving on to the next stage of our lives.”

Stowe, keeping his speech light and injected with humor, advised fellow graduates to remember all the steps and events that brought them to their big day and to revel in the things they have accomplished.

“Every little mistake, triumph, decision and risk you’ve made has let to this moment, sitting here in your cap and gown,” Stowe said. “This will arguably one of the biggest and most prideful days in your life. Years on down the road, we will think back onto this day and all the great times we had at this school…. I know I wouldn’t have made it this far if it weren’t for some of my friends making my days more entertaining.”

When Cantu addressed the crowd, she took a different route, advising students to keep faith and live morally in order to live their best future lives.

“I have found that the Bible’s principles, when applied, lead you to a happy life,” Cantu said.

She also told students to cherish their education at Brandywine, noting that “no one can take [your education] away from you.”

Many of the sentiments expressed by the valedictorians and the salutatorian can be found in the Dr. Seuss quote the class of 2017 chose as their motto.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who’ll decide where to go.”