SANDWICH – Co-valedictorian Blair Wright told the Sandwich High School class of 2011's story like a fairy tale at Sunday's commencement, equating female students to princesses, males to frogs and teachers to fairies.

"While there is a new beginning, it won't just appear," Wright told her peers before they received their diplomas. "It is our responsibility to pursue the sequel."

Family and friends of graduates sat in a sauna-like gymnasium Sunday during the high school's 127th commencement, celebrating the class of 2011.

Those in the crowd fanned themselves with ceremony programs as they cheered and clapped for more than 150 graduates.

Graduate Andrew Mason, who has Angelman syndrome, received cheers and applause from the entire crowd as he was helped across the stage Sunday to receive his diploma.

"He's got a lot of supporters here," said dad Rick, who took video of Andrew as he danced around the school's halls in celebration.

He said he was proud of and excited for his son. Before the ceremony, friends Danielle Scott, Katie Lobdell and Taylor Dille compared shoes, from flip-flops to zebra high heels.

The girls said they were a little nervous.

"Don't want to fall on my face," Scott joked about her walk across the stage.

Several students said they would miss friends and participating in high school activities.

Dritan Zulbeari said he would miss the convenience of "everybody being here, our age group, our friends."

But they said they weren't sorry to say goodbye to homework or getting up early, at least for a few months.

"We've got to be grown ups now," Scott said.

Parent Phil Johnson said he felt proud of his son Bryce, who graduated Sunday.

"He's going on to bigger and better things, on to college," Johnson said, adding that Bryce is considering junior college and other options.

Kim and Dave Mathis, parents of co-valedictorian Taylor Mathis, said they felt both excited and sad to see their first child graduate.

"She has never had a B in her whole life," Kim said. The two called their daughter "very driven" and said she wants to be sports broadcaster. Kim said it was hard to put her feelings into words Sunday, calling the day bittersweet.

Students Alex Bantz, Leslie Adams, Matt Anthenat and Nicholas Bantz-Beaty didn't think they would cry during the ceremony, but acknowledged they might see some teary-eyed parents.

"My mom was crying taking pictures this morning," Bantz-Beaty said.

During her speech, co-salutatorian Bantz reminded her peers that teachers and staff helped students learn more than just what was in textbooks. She encouraged graduates to be passionate and pursue their places in the world.

"High school is now officially over, but our lives have just begun," said co-salutatorian Jessica Lauzon.

Co-valedictorian Mathis mentioned several lyrics to songs by country music group Rascal Flatts. She recalled the first day of high school and her desire to stand out and learn who she was throughout her time at Sandwich High School.

"Each student contributes their own unique part that makes up the class of 2011," she told fellow graduates.

Steve Skorup, president of the Sandwich School District 430 board, said he enjoyed watching the class of 2011 succeed academically, musically, athletically and otherwise. He asked graduates to applaud their parents and teachers who helped shape them.

"From this time on, the responsibility falls on your shoulders," Skorup told graduates.

Principal Mitch Nystedt told the graduates he was proud they showed so much school spirit during their high school careers. After he yelled, "S-A-N-D," students followed by shouting, "W-I-C-H!"

"Remember, we as a faculty are still cheering you on as you leave..." he told graduates. "Just promise that you will always try to improve yourselves."