Seniors, From left, Joshua Oelschlaeger, Michael Penny and Stephen May joke around Saturday before graduating from Veritas Christian School. Eight seniors graduated during the ceremony at Lawrence Bible Chapel, 505 Monterey Way.

A series of firsts and a long list of accomplishments solidified the legacy of Veritas Christian School’s graduating class, which was honored at a ceremony Saturday at Lawrence Bible Chapel.

The school’s first National Merit Scholar flipped his tassel, counting seven scholarships to his credit. Veritas’ first Eagle Scout, who wants to study business and economics. A scholarship student who looks to be a teacher as she plays basketball in college.

So when Jeff Barclay, the school’s administrator, said this class’ legacy was its maturity, he wasn’t kidding.

“It’s exciting because for the size of our class, the awards they’ve earned … have been outstanding,” he said of the eight graduating seniors. “This class was probably mature as freshmen.”

He listed their accomplishments, ranging from academic awards to recognition in national writing contests to athletic achievements.

In a ceremony that challenged the students to change the world, class valedictorian Michael Penny charged his classmates to “get your priorities straight, and don’t waste time on things that don’t matter.”

He said things like iPods and Facebook are insignificant when compared with two things that really matter: a relationship with Jesus Christ and the treatment of others.

“Follow those and everything will fall in place,” he said.

The Rev. John McFarland of Christ Covenant Church told the graduates to always keep Christ at the forefront of their lives.

“Christ is Lord of all,” he said, imploring the students to start “living for the future, acting by faith.”

For Stephen May, the school’s first Eagle Scout, who will attend Kansas City Kansas Community College next fall, graduation was a weight off his shoulders.

“It’s a little relieving. It’s a good feeling when you accomplish something,” he said.

But he knows there is still much ahead.

“It’s an amazing thing to realize how much I have left in my life.”

May, who will spend part of his summer working in an orphanage in Romania, said he thought his class raised the bar for fellow students.

“It just challenges the rest of the students to keep (working) harder,” he said.

Marie Fattaahi, who will study graphic design at Johnson County Community College, said receiving her diploma felt good.

“It’s awesome. I am so ready for college,” she said.

She had a simple message for students who have yet to graduate: “Work hard and prosper.”