Solid words of advice, along with some unexpected antics, punctuated the send-off given to the 117 graduates of the Grand County High School Class of 2008 on Tuesday night, June 3.

Commencement speaker Bernie Radcliffe grabbed a hand-held microphone and hopped down off the stage to address the graduates directly instead of the audience.

“This is your night,” Radcliffe told the class. “I want to thank you.”

“I want to give you something tonight that you can take with you,” said Radcliffe, a popular math teacher who is retiring this year after 32 years as an educator in Grand County schools, including the past 12 at GCHS.

In keeping with his “give and take” theme, the wise-cracking Radcliffe also addressed a number of the graduates personally by name, highlighting various experiences and accomplishments they shared.

Radcliffe noted that each of the graduates is being given a “key” to the future, and that the letters in the word each stand for one component: knowledge, energy, and yearning.

“There’s no limit to what you can reach for. Don’t stop learning,” Radcliffe said. “With this key, you’re going to open doors.”

“I wish we didn’t have to say goodbye, but we do,” Radcliffe said, noting that the occasion would be the last time any of them would have to put up with one of his speeches.

Radcliffe then punctuated his remarks with a shrill “I like you!” and galloped off to the amusement and applause of the graduates and audience.

Prior to Radcliffe’s remarks, class salutatorian Madeline Savarese and valedictorian Tessie Graham spoke to their classmates.

Savarese touted her “well-rounded” and “brilliant” classmates, and advised them to never stop learning as they head out into the world to search for their true callings.

“My best advice is to be true to yourself,” Savarese said. “Never be afraid to challenge yourself.”

Graham commented on the collective accomplishments of the class, mentioning several of their many successes in athletics and debate, along with the artistic and academic fields.

“We are a remarkable class,” said Graham.

Citing an example of the group’s cohesiveness, Graham said that during last week’s senior trip to the Lagoon amusement park, all 80 or so of the seniors who made the trip piled into the bumper car ride together for one last free-for-all. Graham said she was “not surprised” that her classmates would so willingly join in and participate in something for the benefit of the entire group, rather than sticking to their own small circle of friends.

“I’m not worried about you,” Graham said. “I can only imagine the remarkable things we will accomplish.”

After Radcliffe’s commencement address, the senior class members were recommended for graduation by GCHS Principal Stephen Hren, and were formally accepted by superintendent Margaret Hopkin and the school board.

Each of the seniors filed onstage, stepping through the big block “G” as their name was read aloud. Family members and friends cheered and took pictures as the graduates stepped forward to receive their diplomas. The hour-long event was capped with a short but impressive fireworks display as the graduates tossed their caps aloft and filled the air with ribbons of silly string.

Other highlights of the evening included the standing ovation given to GCHS drama teacher and senior class adviser Maralee Francis, who was unexpectedly called to the stage to receive flowers from student body president Stephen Stocks.

Also given a rousing ovation was former GCHS librarian Joan Gough, who was this year’s recipient of the school’s prestigious “Circle of Honor” award. Gough served as a librarian in Grand County schools for 27 years, including 20 at GCHS, before retiring in 2006. Under her tutelage as Sterling Scholar adviser, roughly 100 GCHS students have been regional winners or runners-up, said former colleague Donna Brownell as she listed a few of Gough’s accomplishments. With the help and support of the local Elks lodge, Gough also instituted the student of the month recognition program, Brownell added.

After accepting the award plaque and thanking the graduates, Gough told them, “I hope you can find a career and a community that you love like I loved teaching in Moab.”

Music for the evening, including a vocal selection titled “For Good,” was provided by the GCHS band and the Sounds Grand school choir, under the direction of Joey Wilson.