TRUCKEE and#8212;-Friends, family and graduates overcame downpours Saturday and filled the Truckee High School gymnasium to capacity as the school held its first indoor graduation ceremony in 40 years, according to principal John Neary.

Hundreds more watched via live video feed in the nearby auditorium or over the internet as the Class of 2009 received their diplomas.

Despite the inclement weather, 187 graduates happily filed in and listened to guest speaker Ellen Hopkins, a local author who encouraged them to keep in mind that their choices now would influence their futures and the futures of others.

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and#8220;’Choices, choices, life is full of choices and#8230;’and#8221; Hopkins read from a poem. and#8220;Life is going to throw tough choices your way, and they’re all yours to make and#8230; everyone makes mistakes, just try to keep yours small.and#8221;

Along with some lighthearted joking, salutatorians Daniel Brown, Drew Deurlington and Nicole Tanner, and valedictorian Christina Silva, wished their class success and happiness in the future.

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and#8220;If ever you find you’re unhappy doing what you do,and#8221; said Silva, and#8220;stop doing it. You are all far too wonderful to be unhappy.and#8221;

As the graduates began to receive their diplomas, the words of their principal, John Neary, hung in the air above the thousands of people watching and listening.

and#8220;The talents in this room are amazing,and#8221; he said. and#8220;There is no limit to what this group can do.and#8221;