Your families are never more proud of you than they are at this moment. That was the theme of one of the speeches at Albert Lea High School’s commencement ceremony Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in the high school gym.

School board chairman, Bill Leland, spoke to the crowd of about 800 and the 257 graduates about the sense of relief parents are feeling now that their child is done with high school.

“You cannot imagine the sense of relief they are experiencing,” Leland said. “Therefore, this would be the most opportune time to ask for money.”

He also asked the male graduates why there were only female valedictorians and mentioned more accomplishments of athletes and participants in other activities as well. Leland’s son, Joseph, graduated with the class of 2010, and Leland hoped his speech would express what any parent wants their child to know.

“You have made an indelible mark on our lives, and we will be ever richer for it,” Leland said.

The concert choir, directed by Diane Heaney, performed for the crowd, and two student speakers addressed the graduates. Maddy Ruble and Jeff Thorstad spoke to their fellow graduates about having fun and doing good things.

They spoke about both having teachers for mothers and Thorstad had made a makeshift stole to wear because Ruble had an actual honor stole with her robe.

Then the two student speakers decided to express some sentiments through songs. Ruble wished the graduates good luck for next year and to “have fun doing it.”

Thorstad said they had finally made it through another huge milestone and left the graduates with one last piece of advice.

“Remember, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Thorstad said.

Crowd members excitedly watched their relatives pass over the stage and receive their diplomas from school board members. Two woman came from Arizona and Michigan to see their niece, Abbie Lotts, graduate.

“She’s a great kid,” Pam Schuiteman, Lotts’ aunt, said. “Whatever she chooses to do she’s going to do well.”

Superintendent Mike Funk spoke after the student speakers to the graduates. Of the 257 graduates, 31 were honor students and 29 were in the National Honor Society. Funk told the graduates to do the right thing in the future.

“Over the next five years you’re going to be exposed to the most changes in your life,” Funk said.

He also said with their diploma comes responsibility and they should expect the best from themselves.

“Have high expectations for yourself, and you’ll be successful,” Funk said.