And they’re off! The 443-member class of 2006 graduated Thursday, June 14, during a smooth graduation ceremony held in the Paly quad.

Ceremony highlights included three speeches given by members of the graduating class, two student musical performances and the presentation of the Viking Award to Rachel Freier-Miller and Anique Drumright. According to Principal Scott Laurence, the award is given to exemplary students who have the qualities of an ideal Palo Alto High School student.

Jane Griffin began the ceremony with a welcome and presentation of the 2006 class gift. The class made a donation to Camp Everytown, which according to the Camp Everytown website, is a high school youth retreat that helps "equip and support them [students] as responsible citizens and leaders of a multi-cultural community."

Mackenzie Lee, Autumn Brown, and Aisalkyn Alimbaeva delivered commencement addresses. Lee and Brown reminisced over their last four years at Paly. Alimbaeva, an exchange student from Kyrgyzstan, talked about her time this past year at Paly.

"I will never forget the experiences I have had at Paly and my American friends," Alimbaeva said.

Following the Commencement addresses a student band composed of Ryan McDermott, Jake Martin, Kolby Dauler and John Stirrat played Making Sense, a piece written by McDermott. Mary Hewlett, Sarah Ferguson, Sarah Nitzan and Danya Taymor also performed, singing Goodnight Sweetheart.