As friends and family gathered Friday to celebrate Telstar High School’s Class of 2021, valedictorian Shelby Thorman told classmates, “This is the beginning of our independence. It’s time to make our mark on the world.”

In all, 35 seniors received diplomas in the ceremony, which wrapped up in just under an hour.

Salutatorian Max Kruse and class officers Madisyn Buck and Brooklyn Kimball also addressed the crowd with brief speeches to classmates.

The senior class song was fitting given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, with the tune being “Six Feet Apart” by country music artist Luke Combs.