Billed as the largest graduating class in school history, as well as the entire state in 2008, more than 800 Rio Rancho High School seniors took the first step of adulthood Monday afternoon at Santa Ana Star Center.

Along the way, they heard words of wisdom, words of encouragement, words of congratulations and words of caution.

The entire ceremony lasted about three hours, with those in attendance reminded that in a 13-year education, three hours isn’t a lot of time. It was the 10th graduation ceremony for RRHS, in existence for 11 years, and the second at the Star center, which was packed with parents, siblings and friends.

“You have been there for us through everything,” student body president Elisa Jaramillo said, referring to the parents of students. Teachers, she said, had “taught us, helped us, motivated us, tortured us, never gave up on us.

“Now it’s time to see how far we can go,” she said, imploring her classmates to “do something for people. Go out there and do something amazing.”

Class salutatorian Kevin Wymer put their class’s education into perspective, saying it took 12,340 days of school “to reach this goal.”

Teacher Justin Daniels provided the commencement address, telling students how he ultimately became a teacher even though it hadn’t been his original career path.

Over time, he said, RRHS teachers had prepared “a path to the future,” providing skills and values while developing lives and character for the students.

“In short, we build citizens,” he said. “Whatever it is you do after today … you will be faced with more responsibility and more work. Prepare for the real world. … Real life begins now.”

Daniels urged students to vote in upcoming elections, telling them, “There’s a long list of problems we face.”

RRHS principal Richard VonAncken, no doubt proud he hadn’t heard any boos or seen any beach balls batted about, introduced valedictorian Megan Johnson.

“Megan is not an egghead,” he explained. “(She) is a modest kind of woman who makes all of us look good.”

Johnson, recently returned from Atlanta, where she had been a qualifier for the annual International Science & Engineering Fair, reminded classmates, “We didn’t get here alone” and urging them to “never, ever be afraid to ask for help from those around you.”

Schools Superintendent Dr. Sue Cleveland, after providing a brief history of the district’s 14 years of existence, provided a somber fact: “260,000 jobs have been lost in this country since the beginning of the year” and challenged students to “find something you will enjoy,” something “interesting and challenging and where you can make a difference.”

At 1:23, after being photographed in front of an American flag, SciMatics Academy senior Tracy Abbin headed onto the stage to receive her diploma. Sixth minutes later, Engineering & Design Academy senior David Zorn Jr. was handed his diploma, and the switching of tassels was accomplished a moment later.

After students popped charged cylinders of confetti into the air, all that remained were trodding out of the Star Center and into the admiring arms of their families.

And then a step out of the Star Center n and into adulthood.

TOP MEMORIES

First, Megan Johnson, valedictorian, bound for Rice University, a trip to Atlanta for the International Science & Engineering Fair this month:

“We did have an amazing time; we got to explore interesting places in Atlanta. I got to go to Stone Mountain, a memorial to the Confederacy, and we got to ride public transportation for the first time, for a couple of us that hadn’t done that.”

Kevin Wymer, salutatorian, bound for Vanderbilt University:

“RRHS has been great. It’s always been one of the best high schools in the state, (with) the research opportunities and the way the faculty works with you one-on-one, and they help you through whatever you need n and the resources are great. I’ve enjoyed high school.”

Elisa Jaramillo, third in class, student body president, bound for Whitman College:

“Probably one of the best experiences was winning the state (soccer) championship n it was absolutely amazing. All the teachers I’ve known and had throughout the years have been amazing and supported me through everything. High school’s been great.”

Oliver Jury, senior class president, bound for Villanova University:

“The highlight of my high school career was definitely getting elected as senior class president, because I was really nervous and I wasn’t sure if I really wanted the position. After all the things we’ve gotten involved with, all the programs we’ve helped and all the things we’ve done for the school and outside, around the world, in the past 10 months or so have been the time of my life.”