By BRIAN CREMO

For the Express

BROADALBIN — Friday’s rain didn’t stop Broadalbin-Perth’s 2011 graduating class from the completing the official final day of being high school students.

The ceremony was moved from Patriot Field to the high school’s gymnasium. Light piano playing and singing by students took place as the crowd began to fill the bleachers and floor seating.

Members of the Junior Marshals held up homemade arches intertwined with ivy, starting from the baseline at the main entrance to center court as the seniors passed underneath. They walked in pairs to the school band’s performance of the theme from “Pomp and Circumstance.”

The girls wore red caps and gowns, and the boys wore blue. The 19 members of the class’ honor society were identified with an additional golden rope draped over the back of their necks.

The class of 147 sat in six rows at the far end of the gym behind members of the faculty and facing a majority of the crowd. Principal Margaret Blowers called up four students who will be joining the armed forces to lead the crowd in the “Pledge of Allegiance.”

After the Broadalbin-Perth Concert Choir sang the national anthem, Blowers began her welcome speech and recognition of the graduating class with comparisons to this year’s school play, “The Wizard of Oz.” Comparing the class and their journey to the positive characteristics Oz’s characters, while giving advice, Blowers opened with saying that she considered all the class her Dorothys, because “Dorothy was survivor.”

“None of these characters gave up their quest to get what they wanted,” Blowers said. “No matter what the obstacle might have been, they persevered through it ... and you will also have to forge on, and when you think all is lost, hold on as the characters did and find a solution.”

Ending with final congratulations, Blowers closed her speech, appearing in front of the podium wearing ruby slippers.

“There’s no place like home,” Blowers said.

Valedictorian Sarah Cope was the first speaker representing the 2011 class. Cope focused on the embracing the memories of high school, developing character and always striving toward your dreams.

“Life-altering opportunities could be right around the corner,” Cope said. “Don’t miss them.”

Arjun Shah and Courtney Stead, who ranked second and third in the class respectively, addressed the crowd with the theme of change — changes they have been through in the past few years and changes to come.

“If there’s one thing more important than anything else that I can take from high school, it’s that some things aren’t meant for change,” Stead said. “And it’s important that we hold on tight to our unique qualities.”

Stead ended by asking her classmates to remember what makes them, them.

“In a world that’s always changing, don’t be afraid to stay the same,” she said.

School District Business Administrator Marco Zumbolo then recognized the top 10 students of the graduating class in ascending order. The students made their way down to Blowers where they were greeted with a medal in recognition of their academic achievement.

Blowers followed the top 10 by recognizing the 24 recipients of the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. Fourteen more students received the President’s Award for Educational Improvement afterward.

Seniors of the school choir followed with a three and a half minute rendition of Diana Ross’ “If We Hold on Together,” accompanied by piano. The song was arranged by Will Jennings and James Horner.

Class President Taylor MacFarland thanked three faculty members, which included the two class advisers, and announced the senior class gift — a park bench.

“I could never be more proud of the people that we have all become, and I wouldn’t go back to change a thing,” MacFarland said.

Before the presentation of diplomas and awards, Superintendent Stephen Tomlinson gave the gym-filled crowd a speech that started with recognizing the work of Blowers, who was named New York state principal of the year and is in the running for the national principal of the year.

What followed was a 15 second standing ovation.

After Tomlinson shared “five secrets to life,” Board of Education President Kimberly Hentnik spoke to the class about overcoming obstacles. After her last words, the graduating class gave her a standing ovation as well.

From the opening speech to the final celebration, Blowers made one thing clear to the graduates as they headed off.

“If you ever do feel frustrated in life’s challenges, remember your heart and all the good you have done in the past, your fond memories and your great friendships, but most of all, you will always be loved by everyone here.”