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URBANA — This year's commencement ceremony was held Saturday, May 31, at the Tryon Festival Theatre in the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Hundreds of family members, friends, faculty, and well-wishers turned out to congratulate the 64 new graduates as they ended their careers as Uni students and officially began their journey as Uni alums.

Connecticut attorney Frank H. Finch Jr., Class of 1949, returned to Urbana to receive the 2008 Max Beberman Distinguished Alumni Award. Student speakers were Micah Berman, who delivered the welcome address, and Zoë Schein, who gave the farewell. Social studies teacher Billy Vaughn gave the commencement address, while chemistry teacher David Bergandine delivered the benediction.

Social studies teacher Chris Butler and Spanish teacher Jenna Finch presented flowers to the graduates as Assistant Principal Sue Kovacs read their names and rising senior Adam Tiouririne read brief final words from each.

One of the highlights of the ceremony came in the form of a class video, produced by classmates Berman, Schein, Chris Nixon, and Julian Hartman.

Our final slideshow, featuring photos of the ceremony's speakers and musical performers, will be published next week.