From the mouths of graduates

Before walking across the stage to collect their diplomas, members of the Class of 2007 received valuable advice from within their own ranks.

Michelle Brazeau (picture) welcomed her fellow graduates with some encouraging words.

"It doesn't matter how much -- or how little -- you have figured out right now," she said. "We all have dreams and goals, and all of them are achievable."

In picking his topic, class speaker Travis Kaney (picture) relied on some advice he'd received long ago: Speak of what you know.

For Kaney, that topic was comic books.

"Superheros help us in times of trouble, protect the lives of innocent people and ask nothing in return," he said. "People think superheros are fictional characters, but I know different."

In his humorous style, Kaney then went on to recognize some of the everyday superheros he's encountered within the walls of Sun Prairie High School.

He also advised the student body not to forget their "sidekicks" after graduation. "Just as Robin was always there for Batman, your friends will always be there for you."

Kaney closed with the words of Marvel Comics chairman emeritus Stan Lee: "I'll see you in the funny pages."

Cory Breuer (picture), the second class speaker, spoke of the important lessons friends teach each other.

After citing some "insider" examples only his classmates would understand, Breuer made his larger point.

"Perhaps the most important lessons we learned are the values of friendship and individuality," he said. "Over the past 12 years, we've eached developed into our own unique self, and hopefully we like who that is."

Breuer asked his classmates to thank their friends, thank their teachers and thank their families.

He concluded, "Class of 2007, go forth and live your lives to the fullest."

Co-class presidents Katelyn Janssen and Amanda Redalen (picture) announced the senior class gift.

The Class of 2007 is providing funding for Challenge Day, a nationally recognized one-day workshop designed at breaking down the walls of separation.

Next year's students and staff will participate in this program.

Scenes from the field

Here are a few images from the graduation ceremony at Ashley Field.

Above: Ben Valley used his guitar and voice to send his classmates off in musical style.

Step by step, arm in arm.

Hats off to the new graduates.

The celebration begins.

Learn more about the Class of 2007 in this week's Neighbor feature.