SOUTH DEERFIELD — Retired history teacher Thomas Prew told graduating seniors Friday night to always incorporate four things into everything they do in life: perseverance, imagination, humility and kindness. Then, he gave them a final history lesson.

“Be determined,” Prew said. “Foster your imagination. Imagine what might be. Be modest, respectful and humble, not arrogant.”

He told the 97 graduating seniors that kindness does not equate to weakness, but rather, strength.

The graduates had marched onto the football field just minutes before. Some had decorated their caps and some struggled to keep step as parents, friends, relatives, teachers and underclassmen watched. But, within an hour, the first of the Class of 2019 was receiving his diploma.

Class of 2019 President Emily Laus told her classmates it was a long journey, but they did it together.

“We’ve matured physically, mentally and emotionally,” she said. “We made our mark.”

Laus told the soon-to-be graduates to look back on the great memories, but also look forward.

“We are newly born,” she said. “Life will not be easy, but we can face the challenges.”