Students achieved the first step in what Superintendent Mike Funk hopes is a lifelong journey of learning when they crossed the stage Friday evening at Albert Lea High School.

A total of 177 students received their diplomas during the commencement ceremony. Funk told the students he knew they had developed a base to be successful in life.

“We’ve worked hard to provide you the best education possible,” Funk said.

ALHS seniors Kelli Sanderson and Andy Ehrhardt had the stage before Funk. Their speech included some singing and elicited laughs from the students.

“There’s no time like the present, or YOLO,” Ehrhardt said, while using the acronym that stands for you only live once.

The two student speakers commended their fellow classmates for accomplishments in sports and other extracurricular activities. They asked the students to recognize those who supported them through school.

“We stand before our future with nervous anticipation,” Sanderson said. “Get out there and go for it.”

Also speaking at the commencement ceremony was school board member Jill Marin, whose daughter Suzie was graduating. Marin asked the senior class to use the beauty they have in themselves.

“You all have beauty in you,” Marin said. “The most fulfilling things in life aren’t necessarily what we do for ourselves, it’s what we do for others.”

Marin asked the students to look outside themselves, include others and be a helper to those who need it. She also warned that adult life isn’t always easy.

“Prepare for disappointment,” Marin said. “People are not perfect, so don’t hold on to resentment.”

She encouraged them to be themselves and not be tempted to follow the crowd. After reminding the students that life may not always be fair, she told the seniors to remember to grow their inner beauty.

“Grow the beauty in you,” Marin said.

Commencement started at 7 p.m. Friday, and the orchestra performed “Pomp and Circumstance,” directed by Rebekah Crissinger as the graduates walked into the high school gym. The concert choir, directed by Diane Heaney, performed “Omnia Sol” and “For Good.”