Trish Melanson juggled welding classes, health sciences classes and core classes as a student at Longmont’s New Meridian, with her hard work earning her the high school’s valedictorian designation.

She ultimately decided to pursue welding and hopes to start her own welding business. And, while she’s “super happy to be graduating,” she said, she also was sad to say a final goodbye through her graduation speech. She described the school as a family that “makes you feel wanted.”

“New Meridian wasn’t just a place where we earned grades,” she said as she addressed her classmates. “It was a place where we built friendships that will last long after the cap toss today. “It’s a place where teachers believed in us, even when we didn’t always believe in ourselves. It’s where we learned that failure isn’t the end, it’s just a stepping stone to something greater.”New Meridian celebrated its 68 graduates on a sunny Friday morning at Everly-Montgomery Field in Longmont. Following tradition, a bald eagle from HawkQuest led the student procession to represent the school’s mascot. In another tradition, graduates presented those who supported them with red roses at the end of the ceremony.

Along with New Meridian’s Friday graduation, St. Vrain Valley on Saturday is hosting graduation ceremonies for eight high schools. Altogether, about 2,300 seniors are graduating, including 519 graduates with a 4.0 GPA or higher. For the schedule and to watch livestreams of the Saturday ceremonies, go to svvsd.org.

At New Meridian’s graduation, Principal ToniJo Niccoli said she was feeling pride, nostalgia and “an overwhelming sense of excitement for what lies ahead.”

“Each of you has worked incredibly hard for this special moment, and I want you to take a moment to let it sink in,” she said.

She drew on PBS shows to give students advice, quoting Bill Nye the Science Guy, Ms. Frizzle from The Magic School Bus and Mr. Rogers. Mr. Rogers, she said, provided her favorite encouraging words: “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.”

“Endings and beginnings are often intertwined,” she said. “They are interconnected parts of the ongoing narrative of your life. Graduation isn’t your ending. It’s a powerful, pivotal start.”

The school recognized former, current and future members of the military, as well as those who are the first in their family to graduate from high school. The ceremony also highlighted the graduating seniors who earned scholarships, certifications and other honors, while five graduating seniors received the “Spirit of the Eagle” award for their “leadership, determination and a willingness to embrace their true potential.”

Diego Medina, who was awarded a school scholarship, said he didn’t believe he was going to graduate when he first enrolled at New Meridian, but “I tried, and I made it.” He discovered a love for cars while in high school and wants to start a car detailing business, then use the money to buy old cars to work on.

“There’s a bigger sense of community at this school, and they give you a lot of opportunities,” he said. “They work with you. It definitely opened my eyes to a lot of things.”

Wiley Leigh, who was co-salutatorian with Johnathan Fisenko, came to New Meridian as a senior after his previous private school closed. He said he was nervous about making friends and being able to earn all the credits needed to graduate, but ended up meeting wonderful friends and finding new opportunities.

He’s planning to take a gap year to save money to travel and is considering becoming a hairstylist.

“All of us are extraordinary in our own ways,” he said in his speech. “Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of seeing so many of us grow. As we turn the page to the next chapter of our lives, I hope we can all carry with us the lessons we’ve leaned, the friendships we’ve built and the strength we’ve discovered in ourselves. I hope we always stay true to ourselves and keep growing and learning. I know all of us are capable of achieving great things.”