Joe Bruening knew all 89 students in the crowd would (mostly) answer ‘yes’ — they did graduate, after all.

Even though Friday didn’t go exactly as planned, school officials had the gymnasium ready in time for the 134th Annual Gowanda High School Commencement. The rain caused an abrupt change from Hillis Field last night.

Room was a little tight as roughly 500 people packed into the gym with a few remaining in the auditorium to watch the ceremony on a screen.

After the Pledge of Allegiance at 7 p.m., Jacob Swanson directed the student band through a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

OBSERVER Photo by Joe Pinter The top finishers in the graduating class get their diplomas and flowers first.

Bruening, interim high school principal, then told a story about how he didn’t know what he wanted to do in life, but he knew he would play four more years of lacrosse. Eventually, he ended up back in school. Except now he was in charge.

Todd Gates, Seneca Nation president, also reflected on his path to today: he became a well driller after high school, enjoyed the industry, and then went back to school for law so he could advance. He always looked for a way back, however.

“Never forget Gowanda, but go out and see the world,” he said. “I was away for 20 years and I never forgot where I came from.”

Gates introduced Salutatorian Riley Delpriore, who had four main pieces of advice for her peers:

1. Go crazy in the real world (but in a productive way)

2. Use your time wisely

3. No matter what you do, always have friendly competition

4. Take in everything you learn, but go in whatever direction life steers you

Kala Farley, valedictorian, shared memories of her and her classmates that began in kindergarten and ended with majority student participation in school-wide “Senior Skip Days.”

The keynote speaker, Gary Farley, followed and described the bond he and Kala, his niece, share.

When she was a freshman, Gary promised her he would speak at graduation if she graduated first in her class. She was second.

“You can do more,” he said at the time.

She achieved the goal.

Farley, a 1983 Gowanda graduate, spent 32 years as an Army infantry officer after graduating from Fredonia State College. He commanded operations in Iraq and received two bronze stars.

He shared powerful, uplifting tales from his time spent overseas.

“That’s where I noticed things are not always cut and dry, clear as day, right and wrong,” Farley said. “Sometimes things are just gray. Try not to see the world in polar terms. Try to recognize the uncertainties.”

Stepping into uncomfortable terrain can be difficult, but is one of the most important parts of creating positive change in the world, he said.

“You can’t wish for (success) to happen. You have to make it happen. Go find a way.”

“You can do more.”

“Omnia Sol,” sang by the student chorus, turned into “Pomp and Circumstance” as the students got up from their seats.

School Board President Cynthia Sutherland and Robert Anderson, interim superintendent, assisted Bruening with the diplomas and handshakes.

Bruening then gave closing remarks before Andrew Kruszka, class vice president, led the students in moving their tassels from right to left.

Graduates then stepped outside where, as Gates explained earlier, “Life changes everyday.”