Members of Veritas Christian School’s 2009 graduating class are recognized in front of the crowd after receiving diplomas. Pictured from left are graduates Kirsten Bennett, Rebekah Finger, John Hicks, Jeremiah Johnson, Danielle Marsh, Taelyr Shelton, Hannah Walton and Taylor Zook.

The members of Veritas Christian School’s 2009 graduating class may be moving forward, but Friday evening they celebrated the past at the school’s commencement.

The eight-student group officially finished their stint at Veritas Christian with a hourlong ceremony at Stony Point Hall near Baldwin City. Two students delivered speeches reflecting on their years at Veritas, and the keynote speaker was a 1989 graduate of the high school.

The headline speaker was Jefferson County District Attorney Caleb Stegall, who was part of Veritas Christian’s first graduating class two decades ago. Stegall called on a variety of texts and historical figures, ranging from “The Odyssey” to Booker T. Washington to his own experience as an attorney, but his point was clear and consistent: Remember your roots.

Stegall reminded the students several times the importance of the students staying loyal to their homes. He told the seniors not to become tourists in life, saying, “the real adventure of your life lies at your feet.”

Stegall’s message was not lost on the small group of graduating seniors.

“It’s wonderful to have the tradition,” said valedictorian Taelyr Shelton. “It kind of reminds me of KU, how they have so many years of people that just come back and they can say they love their school and it’s still there for them.”

Shelton and class salutatorian Kirsten Bennett each spoke at the ceremony. Shelton, who plans to attend Barclay College in Haviland, thanked her parents, teachers and fellow students by reminiscing on experiences at Veritas. Bennett said she was grateful for Veritas Christian’s small class sizes and her experience participating in athletics.

Veritas Christian administrator Kelli Huslig delivered a parting message before the granting of diplomas. Huslig urged the graduating seniors to take full advantage of their future opportunities.

Even after Huslig’s forward-looking address, Shelton could not help but mention the classmates with whom she shared her high school years.

“What I enjoyed the most was the slideshow, because I’ve known some of these kids I’ve graduated with since I was 5,” Shelton said. “So to see our whole lives progressing and to see some of the memories we’ve had together was really special.”