But the commencement was also marked by an acknowledgment of the uncertainties of today's world—and a long look back at what's being left behind.

One of the first bits of nostalgia came courtesy of Homestead's principal, Al Montgomery, who is retiring after four years on the job. He's leaving with the class that started on the Homestead campus at the same time that he did.

Backed by the spearmint stripes of Homestead seniors seated behind him in the bleachers of the football stadium, Montgomery welcomed the gathered crowd and acknowledged the accomplishments of his students.

"I know that the class of 2004 has a special place in my heart, and I told them so at graduation rehearsal," he said. "I bid you farewell, and our best wishes go with you."

But others were more willing to sing his praises. Dr. Steve Rowley, superintendent of the Fremont Union High School District, opened his remarks by mentioning Montgomery's legacy. "His great contribution to Homestead was his commitment to his students and staff, affecting thousands of people in the process," Rowley said.

Members of the class that Montgomery nurtured all four years were also sad to see him go. "He's an awesome guy," said 17-year-old Sarah Kay, while waiting for the graduation processional to begin.

Her friend Josephine Nguyen agreed. "He stays true to his word," she said, recalling a personal schedule problem with an advanced-placement class that Montgomery took care of personally. His methods seemed to breed a mutual respect between the principal and his students, one that became even more apparent when Montgomery proudly asked those in the graduating class who had received a school or department honor to stand—and over half the class rose to applause from the audience.

Homestead's nine valedictorians just scratch the surface of the rich backgrounds of the class of 2004. This class, which consists of Eagle Scouts, award-winning entrepreneurs and volunteers and even one senior who served on the Fremont Union board of trustees, is sending students to places like Barnard College, virtually all the University of California campuses and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among others.

Like many seniors, Sarah Kay outfitted her mortarboard with her chosen college, spelling out "Sonoma State" in puff paint.

And this is "even with some of the lowest college acceptance rates ever," said Arman Zahoory, one of three students chosen to give commencement addresses. "Our year is truly one of the greatest ever."

Graduation capped off a long, nerve-wracking week for most seniors. Finals had been finished the week before—for those who were even required to take them—so there was little to do except practice for graduation several times. "I'm just happy that we're finally here," Josephine said. But when asked whether she was nervous, 17-year-old Rachel Rocklin's eyes widened. "Yeah!" she exclaimed.

The nervousness was all for naught, however. The graduates cheered when they all sat in unison at the direction of their senior class president, Helen Park, in a move that had obviously been practiced many times.

As the students filed down two aisles arranged on the football field, boys dressed in green robes and the girls in white, some parents wiped away tears, and friends scrambled to find a familiar face, with balloons and flower leis in hand. Even though the program asked celebrants to refrain from applause during the awarding of diplomas, many couldn't help themselves, and pockets of friends and family around the field stood and briefly cheered before the next name was called. One father even brought a trumpet to salute his child in during the ceremony.

After the recessional, Sarah Kay gathered with her gymnastics teammates and coach for pictures while her family watched with smiles on their faces. "I'm relieved, proud, excited for her," said Sarah's father, Jack Kay. "And I'm a little nervous about what happens next."

The festivities incorporated those sentiments as well. The commencement included a moment of silence for 2001 Homestead graduate Cpl. Bumrok Lee, who was recently killed in Iraq. Rowley expressed confidence in the abilities of Homestead's graduates to deal with issues like these, symptoms of an increasingly complicated world.

"There are hundreds of stories sitting before us in caps and gowns," he said. "Even though there are still problems in the world, you can solve them in small but important ways. Find the inspiration to become leaders in whatever you do."

Popular English teacher Larry Vosovic encouraged the graduates to follow suit in his commencement speech, but told them to start out small. After 18 years, the members of the class of 2004 will now venture out on their own for the first time, so Vosovic pushed the winning combination of sleep, eating and exercise as the first steps toward self-reliance.

But he also burst a few bubbles in order to get Homestead's graduates thinking that this leap might not be as scary as they thought. "The adults in your life will be upset that I'm telling you this, but you've always been in charge," he said.