Viewfinder: Caps, Gowns, Smiles and Tears at St. Michael-Albertville Graduation Ceremony

The St. Michael-Albertville 2011 commencement went off without a hitch Friday night. 

There were smiles, hoots, hollers and outright cheers. A touching moment for those who were entering the military as they received a well-deserved standing ovation; and a solemn remembrance of Annette Leuer, a member of the Class of 2011 in spirit, after she tragically died in 2008. 

Mariah Eystad challenged her classmates, asking them how "we can use what we've learned here to go out and change the world." She congratulated everyone for "surviving" high school (two, actually, as this class is the second to graduate from the new building after moving from the old building). And, in closing, said she can't wait to see what happens next.