Of course, the steps taken before graduation weren't always so.
Class of 2009 president Gabrielle Franza said the school had high standards but admitted she doesn't remember everything she learned in class.
"I have plenty of other memories from Rocky Hill High School to fill the void of facts I've forgotten," she said.
Franza mentioned numerous accomplishments for the class, including athletic victories, academic achievements and service to others, including a trip to New Orleans in which students helped build a house with Habitat for Humanity.
Franza also thanked the teachers past and present and others who left their mark on the students. She also made special mention of parents.
"We extend our gratitude to parents and guardians for your unwavering support," she said.
Franza expressed no lack of confidence in her classmates.
"The young ladies and gentlemen graduating have the potential and the ambition to change the world," she said.
Salutatorian Caitlin LeMay also mentioned some highlights from the year, including the excitement of being featured on WFSB Channel 3 Television as a "cool school."
She also paid tribute to all the teachers, staff members and parents that invested so much time in the students.
"Without the support of all theses people are high school careers would not have been the same," she said.
LeMay also said the students are ready for the next challenge and worked hard to get to graduation.
"Tonight is the ultimate reward for all the hard work we've done," she said.
The event featured several local officials as well as educators.
State Rep. Tony Guerrera spoke about the fun experiences of having a graduate in his own home. He also told students they would play an important role in an ever-changing world.
Mayor Tony LaRosa said it's a wonderful experience to drive around town each year and see the tributes to seniors that are painted on large sheets.
"It's a wonderful tradition," he said.
LaRosa urged the students to hold on to the sheets so their kids could one day see the 2009 and say "Wow, you're old."
Board of Education chairman William MacDonald challenged the class to pursue something they love.
"I ask each of you to follow what your passion is," he said. "It doesn't matter what it is - do what you love."
School Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Villar told students to be ready for setbacks.
"Anticipate some failures in life," he said. "Continue to work for your goals and you will be successful."
Villar also thanked those responsible for coordinating the details for the graduation ceremony -which included parents, police, high school staff, the parks and recreation department, parents and others.
"I continue to be impressed by the community of Rocky Hill," Villar said.
Class valedictorian Kelly Miskunas hit on some of the same points that her classmates had and pointed out that 70 seniors were in the National Honor society. She also said the class had more than its share to excellent athletes, amazing artists and humanitarians.
Miskunas said the collective experiences have prepared the graduates.
"I am confident that we have learned enough and grown enough and endured enough to take on the world," she said.
Miskunas was also thankful for a seemingly smaller miracle - blue skies on graduation night. Rain would have met moving the ceremony inside.
"I would have been hard for me to see the sight of my grandmother trying to scalp a ticket," she said.
The class also heard from some of their former principals, such as Richard Watson from Griswold Middle School and retired elementary school principal Louis Pear.
Watson urged the graduates to - at some point - thank the teachers who helped them. He also used five favorite movies to illustrate points to the students.
They included "Austin Powers," which he said is good reminder to always have fun. "As Good as it Gets" came next as a reminder to not allow themselves to live in the past.
"Move forward," he said. "Make new lasting memories at each stage of life."
Next came "Field of Dreams," which simply related to having a dream. 'The Wizard of Oz" is a good lesson that life will have twists and turns and sometimes leaves people wishing they were somewhere else. Finally, "The Godfather," was a good way to remember to keep family first.
"It's all about family. Be loyal; be proud," he said. "The older you get the more you'll realize that they were always right." `
Pear compared life to the game of baseball and compared their school experiences with practice, learning new skills, listening to coaches, preparing for the big game and sometimes losing.
"Failure can be the greatest teacher and motivator of all," he said.
Above all, Pear urged the students to play fair.
Before the conferring of diplomas, the tossing of hats and the final circular procession Principal Mario J. Almeida lauded the students for all the theatrical, artistic, academic, athletic and humanitarian achievements.
He said the class had the "attributes" to make good decisions but he urged students to always keep a clear conscience and stay true to themselves.
"Always ensure that you can look yourself in the mirror and be happy with what you see," he said.
Students said the ceremony came with many emotions,
"I feel amazing," said graduate Khalfani Hopson, who plans to study accounting at the University of Connecticut. "It's better than I could every have imagined."
Alec Beloin, is ready to take on a Jazz Performance major at the Berklee.
"It's been a great four years but it feels even better to move on," he said.
Andrea Lamari, who will study film and screenwriting in New York City said the teachers did a good job preparing students for that next step.
"I'm glad to learn how to be independent," she said.
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