For the Class of 2018, it was one last time to enjoy the moment.

Still, in that moment – one extending over a two-hour period – La Conner High seniors alternately reflected fondly upon the past while guardedly taking measure of the future ahead.

The school’s annual Commencement Exercises last Thursday drew a large audience to Landy James Gymnasium and featured a program that elicited both tears and cheers.

In short, there was something for one and all.

Valedictorian Emma Lee, recipient of the coveted four-year, all-expenses paid George and Lillian McMillan Memorial Scholarship, perhaps said it best in her remarks to the capacity crowd.

Lee, bound for Washington State University, compared life’s journey – including the steps she and her classmates have taken at La Conner High – to the process employed by a baker creating a cake.

“Life is what you make it,” she noted. “You’re the only one who can write your own life’s recipe.”

The sweet life, she noted, includes sharing one’s gifts and not giving up when faced with initial setbacks.

“If your cake doesn’t rise as it should,” Lee said, “bake another cake.”

For Lee and fellow National Honor Society graduates Aubre Cunningham, Abbey Harper, Myken Hassler, Sarah Hastings, Jeffrey Johnson, Scottie Miller, Parker Rivas and Shijie Xiao, the Commencement program offered a bit more icing on that cake.

They were formally recognized by school counselor Lori Buher for their academic excellence and commitment to public service.

Hassler, the class salutatorian, added dashes of humor to her address while sharing Lee’s optimistic outlook. She quipped that celebrating high school graduation meant having to “wear square hats and uncomfortably hot gowns,” and jokingly predicted that “even more Top Ramen and homework” will mark the college experience.

“I can’t wait to see us all succeed,” Hassler said.

A host of guest presenters, including Vince Wilbur of the La Conner Community Scholarship Foundation, joined Buher in announcing awards designed as initial ingredients toward success going forward.

Wearing special Commencement cedar caps, Swinomish Tribal Community members among the three dozen graduates were introduced.

“What a great way,” said Swinomish Education Director Michael Vendiola, “for us to all be related to each other, to celebrate the achievements of our graduates.”

La Conner School Board member Janie Beasley, who announced recipients of the scholarship given in memory of her late sister, Susan Wilbur, asked family members to stand and be recognized for their continued support of the award.

When many in the arena stood, Beasley offered an explanation, evoking both applause and good-natured laughter.

“I have about 75 relatives here,” she said. “There were 10 kids in our family.”

Susan Wilbur was the first Native American to serve on the La Conner School Board and the early learning center at Swinomish is named for her.

La Conner Superintendent of Schools Dr. Whitney Meissner, finishing her first year with the district, presented the graduates. La Conner High Principal Todd Torgeson joined Beasley and School Board President Kate Szurek in presenting diplomas.

Swinomish Canoe Family drummers provided an honor song, followed by the La Conner School Band playing “America the Beautiful” as graduates presented flowers to their families.

The class proved quick to follow Lee’s call that they share slices of cake with others, publicly thanking this year’s La Conner Schools retirees, while inviting two – Tracy James and Loran James – to join them on stage.

Tracy James, now Swinomish Social Services Director, noted that she earned her teacher’s certification as members of the Class of 2018 began school.

Loran James, the new Swinomish Para-Professionals manager, taught this year’s seniors as second graders. He asked the class to briefly look at the quote “Pursue Excellence” displayed on a gym wall and attributed to his dad, the late Landy James.

“In my mind, you guys are already excellent,” he said. “Now you’ve got to prove it to everybody else.”