Free State High graduates threw their dark green caps up in the air Sunday afternoon, gesturing the completion of their high school careers.

“I’m really excited it’s over,” said Kayleigh Schneider, Free State graduate.

From wearing pullups and watching “Sesame Street” as youngsters to learning how to drive, even going on that first date, senior Maggie Holcomb reminded fellow Class of 2009 graduates about all the life experiences they’ve had.

“We’ve done a lot of growing up,” Holcomb said during her commencement address at Kansas University’s Memorial Stadium.

Now that the 378 Free State graduates have earned their diplomas and are ready to move on with their grown-up lives, Holcomb reminded them that many more life lessons are certain to be ahead of them.

“We have no idea what the future has in store for us,” said Holcomb. “I don’t even know what I’m going to wear tomorrow.”

Whether it’s going to college, vocational training, or whatever else life will bring the graduates, they have mixed emotions about earning their diplomas.

“Proud that I did it, but shocked that I did it also,” said Jacob Lyles, a graduate who will go on to attend a cosmetology school in Olathe.

Graduating senior and commencement speaker Gelareh Samandi boasted about the smarts of the graduating class, 27 percent of which wore silver stoles for their membership in the National Honor Society, 11 percent of which received gold cords for their scholastic honors and 6 percent of which earned valedictorian status.

“Free State has surpassed other high schools,” said Samandi. “Freddie the Firebird taught us how to fly.”