NOTE: This story was updated June 16, 2017 to reflect corrected information. Gillian Chanko is the Student Government President for the Class of 2017, not the Student Council President. Kevin Arther is the Student Council/Class President.

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Members of the Newtown High School Class of 2017 - all 417 of them - received their diplomas in an extended ceremony June 13 at Western Connecticut State University's steamy O'Neill Center.

Urging her classmates to "chase that change," class Valedictorian Simran Chand joined most of the event's featured speakers promoting countless opportunities that lie ahead for the hundreds of seniors who, as keynote Brian Tenney noted, "will walk up one ramp as high school students, and down the other as high school graduates."

As the soon-to-be grads gathered adjacent to the venue, it was clear that many were well-prepared for the searing late afternoon sun. Dozens opted for lightweight dresses or shorts to wear beneath their blue and white gowns, while others opted for more formal outfits - with a few hearty students donning buttoned up collars and ties.

Stealing shade beneath an overhang and hiding from the heat were Gillian Chanko and Riley Smith.

"It's surreal," said Ms Chanko about finally reaching the end of her high school career. "You know it's coming," but she was surprised to find herself minutes away from her final school moments. Ms Smith, who will attend New York University, agreed. "As a freshman I didn't think I would get here."

Other class members just found spots to sit and rest while dressed in their glistening gowns. Class Valedictorian Simran Chand and Senior Class Officer Dylan Lew took a second to be a little goofy with friends, while William Kase and Tiernan Keane were more contemplative - Mr Keane behind dark shades.

Sporting tennis balls fixed to his cap, was Joseph Conrod thinking about playing tennis?

"That's the plan," he said, adding that he would soon be heading to Stone Hill College in neighboring Massachusetts to study Health Science.

He reminisced, recalling "quite a bit" of his school career and inscribing many of his friends' yearbooks with "weird memories," as he thought about NHS classmates he has known since kindergarten. Nearby were Lauren King and Camryn Cicarelli waiting to enter the O'Neill Center and stand together with fellow seniors for the last time.

A cheer went up ahead of the grand entrance as the huge line-up of students saw administrators and school staff arriving to lead them in, with Superintendent Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, out in front in his snappy black and red gown and powder blue collar.

After entering to find their seats as a regal "Pomp & Circumstance" was performed by the school's Concert Band, the ceremonies quickly commenced. Jane Matson traded places with band director Kurt Eckhardt, to lead the Chamber Choir and many attendees through a stirring rendition of the national anthem.

NHS Principal Lorrie Rodrigue then approached the podium, welcoming guests and reminding students that each and every one is "the necessary hero of his or her own life story."

"Your real life stories happen starting tomorrow," Dr Rodrigue said, "as you make an impression on the world."

Before turning the microphone over to Student Government President Gillian Chanko, Dr Rodrigue spurred the Class of '17 to strive to always be doing "some good for someone, somewhere in the world."

Ms Chanko said she learned three important things on her journey through Newtown High School that she wanted to share. She encouraged her peers to "never postpone joy;" to realize, having volunteered in Tanzania, that she and her fellow seniors were indeed lucky to have been educated in such a comparatively advanced setting; and to be dedicated to anything they choose to do in their lives.

"Put your entire being into your passion," she encouraged. "Whatever you do, make sure it makes you happy, and helps the world around you."

The Chamber Choir then returned for a beautiful arrangement of "Over the Rainbow," leading into a Class Council message from Student Council/Class President Kevin Arther.

Mr Arther looked across the audience and proudly recounted that he and his 416 fellow seniors would soon be dispersing and representing their community and school at 110 different colleges and universities across North America, and as far afield as China.

Comfortable that his graduating class would "make a positive impact" on the world, he lauded his classmates for the 40,000-plus volunteer hours they had amassed in their time at NHS.

Class Salutatorian Jordan Klein recalled a recent trip to speak to students at Middle Gate School, and thinking, "was I ever this small." He also invoked the famous movie line from

Forrest Gump, reminding all that "the excitement of life is in the gift, and opening that box of chocolates."

In closing, Mr Klein thanked the entire community of Newtown on behalf of his class, told his mom and dad that he loved them, and reminded them - like so many of their peers - to "remember this moment when you get that first bill for out of state tuition!"

Ted Kohler was then welcomed to the stage, representing Newtown Scholarship Association. Celebrating 80 years, Mr Kohler said NSA continues to work to address the financial needs of NHS graduates and their families, this year alone underwriting nearly $330,000 in assistance.

Next up,  Dr Erardi briefly recounted witnessing his own children's graduations through a parent's eyes, while directing graduating seniors to "Learn all you can ... and be kind."

The superintendent then recognized senior Peter Laferriere and his family, telling the audience that the new graduate would be heading for service in the US Navy the very next morning, causing the O'Neill Center to burst into extended applause.

Before making way for the valedictorian's remarks, Dr Erardi expressed to all the parents in attendance, "How blessed we all are at this snapshot in time as your children look at Newtown High School in their rearview mirror."

As she took to the podium, Ms Chand smiled broadly and exclaimed, "We made it!"

Relating that "Newtown High School Class of 2017 is a label that no one can ever take away from us," the valedictorian recognized her classmates as a group that is "far from typical and never perfect."

Nonetheless, she prodded her colleagues to "try to change the world," and said that in their own way, each of her classmates is a genius in some capacity. She warned them, however, that falling prey to roadblocks and setbacks on their road to success was simply settling, and not to be accepted.

"You are the Class of 2017," she said in closing, "there really are no limits."

In his keynote, Mr Tenney, a school faculty member, told the class they were not only witnessing "an end of an era," but "the only era you've ever known."

"You are now the people who went to school," he said, "not people who go to school."

He said that high school graduation can provide an opportunity to reinvent one's self, but just because they "can change doesn't mean you should." Mr Tenney wrapped by reminding the seniors, "Whatever happens after this is entirely up to you."

Before the parade of 417 graduates began marching across the stage to receive diplomas and congratulations from Drs Erardi and Rodrigue, Board of Education Chairman Keith Alexander thanked and praised the students for all they had accomplished.

And as final graduate Philip Zuvanich exited the stage to join his classmates with diplomas in hand, the Class of 2017 collectively turned their tassels, began filing out to meet family and friends to their Concert Band playing "Visions of Flight," and greeted the waiting world.

Reporter Kendra Bobowick also contributed to this story.