Orange and blue filled the Edwardsburg High School gym at Sunday’s graduation. From caps and gowns and banners on the stage to a balloon arc that the graduates walked through, the colors touched everything as the school awarded 191 students with diplomas at the ceremony.

This year’s graduation was a historic one, because the high school graduated with 12 valedictorians, the largest number in Edwardsburg’s history.

“To the class of 2017, your competitive spirit was evident the moment you walked through those high school doors as freshmen. Your academic competitiveness is evident in the 12 valedictorians,” Principal Ryan Markel said in his opening speech. “Your academic competitiveness is displayed by the fact that 60 percent of you graduated with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher and 57 of you have a cumulative GPA of 3.7 or higher.”

Every valedictorian, including the two salutatorians, had a chance to speak at graduation. Similar themes ran through each speech as the graduates looked toward starting the next phase of their lives.

Several student speakers encouraged their classmates to hold onto the drive that has allowed them to be so academically successful. The speeches of valedictorians Matt Bangston, Samantha Ekanayke and Joelle Eaves touched on this topic.

“We have etched our names into the halls of Edwardsburg High School and for that, we are admired,” Bangston said. “Be sure to take the ferocity that you all possess onwards for use in your future endeavors. If this is done, nothing will stand in your way.”

Other students, like valedictorians Chloe Hanstra, Noelle Kraus and Samantha Beck, used their speech to recall fond memories of high school and how it has shaped them.

“Remember the fun you had,” Beck said. “After today when we go on with the rest of our lives, keep having fun. This here is our last day at Edwardsburg, so enjoy every moment of today. Because it is ours.”

Valedictorian Megan Evans, valedictorian Emilee Ludwick and salutatorian Emily Oppman each spoke about how the class of 2017 has always worked together, something they feel has made them stronger.

“Whether it’s in athletics, fine arts or academics, the teamwork and cooperation that has been repeatedly demonstrated here gives me hope and excitement for the future,” Oppman said. “As we head off into the next chapter of our lives, I hope we will all be able to find another community of mutual interest that allows the same opportunities for interpersonal growth and success that Edwardsburg has offered.”

Many speeches, including those of salutatorian Joelly Baldwin, valedictorian Katherine Bellaire and valedictorian Catherine Wimberly, offered fellow students words of encouragement as they chased their dreams outside of Edwardsburg High School.

“Although some say that our high school years are the best of our lives, I don’t believe that that’s true. While it’s been quite the adventure, we have greater things ahead of us,” Bellaire said. “When we all leave here today to chase our own individual dreams, we are leaving together as Eddies.”

Other student speeches were more personalized and unique.

Valedictorian Olivia Freshour spoke about the how the importance of finding her own path led her to join the U.S. Navy rather than making college her next step.

Valedictorian Brittany Bowman spoke about how she was amazed to be in the position she was in due to the fact that she experienced health issues that nearly forced her to withdraw from school completely.

“Everything happens for a reason and in turn, everyone is stumbling along their own path, trying to find their own way; and whether it is meant to intersect yours or not can be held up to fate,” Bowman said. “I want to stress the importance of living your life day to day as there is nothing gained by worrying about the future or checking up on your past.”

With so many speakers, it can be hard to succinctly express what the overall message of Sunday’s ceremony was. However, Principal Markel might have put it best as he simply wished the class of 2017 the best of luck with their future endeavors.

“While there were many achievements of ‘first’ with the class of 2017, everything you accomplished and achieved was always done ‘first class,’” Markel said. “As you move on to those various directions and career paths you choose, all of you are driven for the same common goal of success in life.”