FREEPORT — The tight-knit class of 148 graduates from Freeport High School were feted Friday night at commencement ceremonies.

“This is a really great group of kids, and we're really pleased with the way they've performed and behaved over the years,” school board President Dan Lucovich said. “We couldn't be more proud.”

High school math teacher Shane Mills echoed the sentiment.

“This group has a lot of good personalities, and they'll succeed at anything they do,” Mills said.

John Gaillot, varsity football coach and fourth grade teacher, said the graduation was bittersweet.

“You've been working with them for so long, and you seem to blink your eyes and it's done,” Gaillot said. “This class is full of great young men and women. I'm really proud to have had the opportunity to teach and coach them.”

Senior class President Shannon Doerr said most of her graduating class has attended Freeport since kindergarten, which created what she called “my Freeport family.”

“You've been my family away from home for 180 days a year, for 13 years,” she told the class during her speech.

Aaron Malecki, the evening's other student speaker, said while the students have “bled blue and gold for over a decade,” it will now be time to assume accountability for themselves.

He said hard work and a positive attitude will lead all of the graduates down the road to success.

“The only way to experience defeat is by not trying or by giving up in the first place,” Malecki said.

He said if the graduates live to be 80 years old or more, they have 60 years to create a legacy.

“I challenge each and every one of you to be the best person you can be,” Malecki said.

After the mortarboards were tossed and the students joyfully marched out of Freeport Park's Laube Hall and into the bright sunshine, graduates gathered on the lawn with their overjoyed families.

Twins Erica and Dava Jack beamed as they experienced the normal amount of mixed emotions.

“I'm definitely going to miss it,” Erica Jack said of Freeport High. “It's sad, but at the same time you have to smile because everyone is here with you.”

She will pursue an exercise science degree this fall.

Dava Jack agreed, but anticipated the growth and changes coming in her new adult life.

“It's sad, but I'm really excited because I'm moving on to a new part of my life,” she said.

She will study nursing in the fall.

Cole Hepler said it is a good feeling to be finished with his public school education.

“I'll miss my classmates,” Hepler said. “We were all pretty close. It'll be weird not seeing everyone on a regular basis.”

Hepler will travel to Alaska later this year to play hockey in a junior league.

Like Dava Jack and Hepler, Matthew Brown named Mark Wyant as an educator who he will never forget. Wyant teaches government at the high school.

“He's an amazing teacher,” Brown said. “He's fun, and presents the opposite point of view (during lessons).”

Superintendent Chris DeVivo told the students they will be OK out in the big world.

“You are prepared and ready to move on beyond life at Freeport,” DeVivo said. “It has been such an honor and privilege to be part of your journey.”