Plastic grapes adorned the of Julia Whelan's graduation cap, although they were painted various colors and gathered to look like balloons. Along with the balloons, Whelan had decorated her cap with a house, clouds, and a quote from Disney Pixar's "UP."

"My whole outlook on graduation is I'm sad it's ending, but I'm excited about what's to come," she said, relating her milestone to the movie before entering the high school gymnasium alongside 248 other Dartmouth High graduates on June 4.

She pointed to the small, blue camel on her cap, which wore a balloon around its middle. It's the mascot for Connecticut College, she explained. The Class of 2017 grad had transferred from Bishop Connelly High for her sophomore year, and since then participated in theater, a cappella, field hockey, and track. While she is undeclared for Fall 2017, she has an interest in studying behavioral neuroscience.

Like Whelan, valedictorian Stacie Hartman has big plans for her future. She will study political science at Georgetown University next fall, with the overall goal of becoming a U.S. senator, she said. Across her graduation cap, Hartman had written "Change the world."

While the student speaker joked that the Class of 2017 had learned to write a research paper the day before it was due and pull silly string out of its hair following a pep rally, she took a more serious tone.

"All of us as educated, young adults have an ability to make a difference. Find your passion, and follow it confidently," she said. "Continue with the mindset that there is no barrier that can't be broken."

Speakers promised the class that it already embodied the characteristics needed for taking on tough challenges. It had already scored two, back-to-back Division 3 Super Bowls, covered its school in more than 2,000 uplifting messages on Valentine's Day, and secured $190,000 in scholarship funding for fellow students.

"You are entering a world that is almost unrecognizable from the one that I entered when I was your age," said key speaker Dr. Peter Bangs. "The end of your high school career is the beginning of your education as adults. You will help to shape this future."

And for those moments that seem discouraging and overwhelming, Superintendent Bonny Gifford offered encouragement.

"My wish for each and every one of you is that you will find the strength to persevere," she said, reminding the audience of how determination led to the New England Patriots' epic 34-28 comeback over the Atlanta Falcons.