A Silver Creek student “wears” her thoughts on graduating, with a little help from Winnie the Pooh.

SILVER CREEK — Proud families and friends, alongside staff and faculty, packed the auditorium at Silver Creek Central School Friday for a joyous sendoff for the Class of 2017 during the district’s 65th annual commencement.

Full of Black Knight pride, the 66 seniors strode onto the stage to tune of the Senior High Band’s processional, conducted by staff member Kiersten Roetzer.

The ceremony got under way with a warm welcome by Class President Dariann Russo.

“We would like to thank all of our families, friends and teachers who have helped us become the young men and women sitting before you today. Personally, I would like to thank my classmates that I have spent the last 13 years building relationships with and growing together. As we all move on into the next chapters of our lives, my hopes are that we remember the bonds that we’ve created right here,” Dariann said.

Valedictorian Brandon Birner, who will study biology and exercise science at the State University of New York at Fredonia, addressed the audience next.

“I feel fortunate to have been raised in a small, tight-knit community.

“With a graduating class of roughly 70 students, on any given day, I recognized every single person walking down the hallway, and, for the most part, every face would remind me of good times … We are lucky to have such personal connections. These bonds we have made will not easily be forgotten or neglected. In the rough roads we may travel in the future, we can count on one another in times of need,” Brandon said.

Salutatorian Hannah Boothe, who will study music education at Fredonia, then spoke to the attendees.

“Growing up with my classmates here at Silver Creek has taught me a lot, and these people have helped shaped me into who I am today. I know that after tonight, we will be parting ways, but I know I will never forget the memories we’ve made. That being said, I although encourage my classmates to remember our memories from high school, I also encourage them to go out and make new memories. Whether they are going to college, into the Armed Forces, to a trade school or into the workforce, I know each and every person sitting on the stage behind me has an incredibly bright future ahead of them, full of new people and new experiences. I know that each and every one of us has to potential to achieve whatever goals we set for ourselves. I mean it. Everyone here has unique talents and skills that will help them go far in life,” Hannah said.

Commencement speaker Edward Gallivan, a member of SCCS’ Class of 1980, invoked the wisdom of Star Trek’s Dr. Spock for the graduates. Gallivan has taught high school and middle school science for the last 30 years, 18 of those years at Silver Creek. He spoke directly to the graduates — his former students.

“The best thing that any of you can do to honor your families and the people that spend their life’s work teaching you is to live long and prosper,” he said.

He encouraged graduates to make good choices and not to think that coming from a small town will limit their chances of being prosperous.

Superintendent Todd Crandall spoke highly of the Class of 2017 in his remarks to the audience.

“This class has a sense of responsibility and maturity. The future will be better because of them and they have the power to change the world,” he said.

The Silver Creek Class of 2017 received their diplomas to applause and cheers as each individual’s name was called. Students were congratulated by members of the board of education and district administration.

In congratulating the Class of 2017, Crandall thanked parents, families and friend of the class for sharing their children with the school and community.

The Class of 2017 received a standing ovation as they left the auditorium as graduates of Silver Creek Central School.