WASILLA — In a flash of red and white, Wasilla seniors punctuated the end of their grade school days and set out to write the rest of their life stories.

On Thursday night at the Multi-Use Sports Complex in Wasilla, more than 200 graduating seniors from Wasilla High School (WHS), dressed in white and red robes, tossed their caps to celebrate an end of an era: 13 years of public education.

In homage to their hard work, hundreds of parents, family members and loved ones filled the auditorium, bearing oversized balloons, gifts and overwhelming tears of pride for their graduates.

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With college and employment opportunities around the corner for many, the question posed by members of the WHS Class of 2008 seemed fitting: What’s next?

WHS valedictorians Adam Friese, Michael Lewis and Carmel Sergio each took to the stage in front of their colleagues, remembering the ups and downs of their high school careers. With the tears of joy, each presented a final farewell tribute to their friends and staff of Wasilla High School. They also encouraged their colleagues to follow their hearts and dreams.

Converging with friends upstairs at the sports complex before the start of the ceremony, valedictorian Sergio once again nervously reads over her script. She has rehearsed it a lot.

“It’s about my life trials and how I almost didn’t make it here,” Sergio said. “But it’s also a tribute to what we’ve accomplished over the years. It’s been a ride.”

Sergio, who moved with her family from the Philippines three years ago with a life-threatening heart condition, said it’s been a long road to graduation, but one full of dedication to finish, and a commitment to be near her family.

“It’s been unforgettable,” she said. “I’m now off to college to be a medical tech at UAA and be closer to my family, which is important enough for me to stay here.”

Fellow valedictorian Friese also has fond memories of his high school years. Continuing to play hockey with the Alaska Avalanche hockey team next year, Friese says that he can definitely see a future in the Last Frontier, for now.

“The year’s been full of memories, fun times and friends,” he said. “I think I’ll hang around for a while.”

Friese’s advice for his fellow graduates echoed the overall sentiment of the evening.

“Do your best and no matter what you do, be a great one.”

Ed Marman, senior class counselor at WHS, said the class of 2008 showed tremendous leadership and diligence, especially in planning for their future.

“These are bright, talented and eager kids,” Marman said, watching the students file into the auditorium to noisy cheer and applause. “It’s not just brains responsible for their success, it’s their motivation as well.”

In a last-minute effort, senior Kala Downs secures her friend Natasha Leal’s red cap to her primped hair with another bobby pin.

“It’s been stressful catching up,” Leal said. “This year went by really fast.”

Leal said she plans to move to Sarasota, Fla., this summer to pursue a little fun in the sun before entering college in the fall. Downs said she will probably get a job first to make some extra money before going to higher education to study forensics.

“I eventually want to do autopsies,” Downs said. “It’s all about that right now.”

Student body president Katie Wieliczkiewicz and senior class president Jordan Anderson also bid their farewells, making sure to throw in a couple of jokes at the staff’s expense.

Wasilla High School principal Dwight Probasco said all 213 graduates will hopefully walk out into the world with a sense of purpose and accomplishment of the past four years.

“There’s a lot of things that go on in high school,” he said. “At times the primary focus of education is lost, coming in second behind the teen culture and athletics, but we’re about education at Wasilla High and want to always recognize those who worked hard.”

Former state representative and current congressional candidate Ethan Berkowitz, the evening’s keynote speaker, asked the Class of 2008 to look at what impact they could have on “the greatest state in the union.”

“Each of you have a different chosen path,” Berkowitz said. “A path to follow and embark on a new chapter in your life.”

One by one, WHS students names were read aloud as a tearful and fired-up crowd cheered in merriment.

For mothers, the night was a reminder that their kids were moving on.

“My heart’s a little broken,” said mother Barb Ivy from the stadium floor, while hundreds of red and white balloons dropped at the finish of the ceremony.

Ivy looked up and tearfully smiled up at her son Christopher as he held up his diploma for her to see.

“I’m so proud of him,” she said. “It’s kind of sinking in that this is it.”

Ivy said Christopher, who graduated officially in December, had enlisted in the Air Force earlier this year, but was sent home due to recurring heart murmurs. Determined to be airborne, he plans to take the summer off and attend flight school later in Anchorage later this fall.

“He’s a hard worker, like the rest of these kids,” Ivy said. “It’s good to see him moving on in the world.”

Contact J.J. Harrier at valleylife@frontiersman.com, or 352-2269.